I have noticed how they refer to each other by their last names – perhaps in mutual respect, like footballers are in this day. However, this could also be justified as the correct formal language that people would use back in Sherlock Holmes’ time. They both enjoy what they do. Solving mysteries together. In the Red-Headed League Holmes says: “I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum routine of everyday life.”
The master-side kick relationship that Holmes and Watson share has become very famous. It is now the first image that comes to mind when talking about famous duo’s and double acts. Others such as Starsky and Hutch, Tom and Jerry, Shaggy and Scooby are never thought of before Dr Watson and Sherlock Holmes. The combination of Holmes’ brilliant deduction and Watsons’ personality and rationalism ensure that whatever they are doing – they do well and succeed.
Many crime/detective stories are structured similarly. Sherlock Holmes’ stories are usually structured like this: the crime is committed, Holmes is called to investigate, Holmes finds a solution and finally Holmes explains everything. This structure is very effective to make the reader keep guessing and want to know what happens in the end. An example of this is in ‘The Speckled Band.’ The crime was reported to Holmes, Holmes then investigated the crime, he makes observations and the he finally deduces the solution and explains it to all the other characters. Without the continuous questions from Watson, the reader would always have many unanswered questions. This is perhaps the most important aspect that Conan Doyle uses Watson for.
Watson is a character that has been created by Doyle to ask all the questions that the reader is thinking. Watson asks Holmes the question, Holmes explains and the reader’s question has been answered. For example, a quote from ’Silver Blaze’ – Watson exclaims to Holmes as he works something out. “One moment!” I asked. “Did the stable boy, when he ran out with the dog, leave the door unlocked behind him?” Holmes then exclaims in happiness because Watsons’ assumptions are correct. This is a clever technique which allows the reader to find the answer to their questions. Watson asked the question the reader was thinking and Holmes confirmed it.
Holmes is then pleased and compliments Watson. “Excellent Watson! Excellent!” This quote is an example of Holmes becoming delighted when other people manage to work out what’s going on – before Holmes explains. Another example is from ‘Silver Blaze.’ Holmes congratulates the inspector, the inspector had found a bag containing Straker’s boots, Fitzroy’s shoes and a horseshoe from Silver Blaze: “My dear inspector, you surpass yourself!”
Doyle uses Watson to explain to the reader bits of Holmes’ thought process. Watson is more intellectual then more people but he is always outshined by Holmes’ brilliant deduction. For example, Sherlock says: “What do you make of it all Watson?” – Watson struggles to make any sense of the situation and doesn’t know what to say. Another quote from Watson: “It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business.” This is a classic example of Watson not being able to deal with Holmes’ superior intellect. Holmes becomes the genius and Watson is just a normal companion asking normal questions to try and figure out what is going through Holmes’ mind. Watson is in place to represent everyday people like you and me. Watson is the character that all readers can relate to and sympathise with. If Holmes became the first person narrator of the stories then I think they would lose their fun. Deduction would become obvious and would be told to the reader straight away. Losing a sense of mystery. Whereas when Watson is narrating, the crime can still be a mystery until the very end. This makes it fun to try and work out the mystery before Holmes explains his deductions and findings to Watson.
The way that Conan Doyle tells the story through Watson is very clever. Holmes is the one who is doing all the working out but not everything is explained right away and directly. Doyle uses Holmes to keep information away from Watson and the reader. However, Holmes does gradually ‘leak’ information. But very slowly. So that the reader reads on in anticipation. For example, in the ‘Red Headed League’ – Holmes never directly explains Moriati’s part in the whole story, he only ever hints in and lets information slip loose towards the end of the tale. By using this clever writing mechanic, the reader is always gripped and doesn’t want to put the book down.
Watson plays a very key part in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Without Watson, Holmes is nothing. Holmes has a far superior intellect to most people and Watson is needed to explain details to the reader. If Watson was not present in the stories then no questions would be asked and everything would be very straight forward. This would ruin the stories and they would lose their character and readability. Therefore I agree with this statement. Holmes IS made possible by Watson.
