"Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting
At. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible
Crime." (The adventure of the speckled band)
The two also differ in other ways, for example although Holmes is intellectually gifted he lacks the contact of friends, this shows him as a loner. On the other hand, Watson, being the average man, has friends and later in the stories even has a wife. Although, they do differ the still both have the up-most respect for each other, but because Watson sees Holmes usually as his intellectual superior he realises, that although, he himself needs some applause. Holmes deserves the most of the respect as he’s always the one to solve the crime;
“…and to listen with a mocking smile to the general chorus of misplaced congratulation.”(The adventure of the Devils foot)
But, forgetting their differences they generally seem to get along in all cases and create a pleasant nature;
“I should be most happy to go down with you if I should not
be in the way," said I.
"My dear Watson, you would confer a great favour upon me
by coming. And I think that your time will not be misspent” (Silver Blaze)
The next main point I would like to discuss is the use of narration being used as Watson. Usually all narration starts with an narration of the time and area, consequently, this is no different, Watson gives several openings like this;
“In the third week of November, in the year 1895, a dense yellow fog settled down upon London. From the Monday to the Thurs-
day I doubt whether it was ever possible from our windows in
Baker Street to see the loom of the opposite houses.” (The adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans)
Arthur Conan Doyle uses Watson as a source of information to the reader, from the most obvious points to difficult points that are developed over time, the use of this is to get the reader more involved in the storyline and helps them follow the plot more. For example;
“I see nothing more than the bell rope” (Speckled Band)
Although basic, we can now gather information and we have a clue. Eventually with clues we can develop our own ideas and relate them to the end of the story in which Holmes deduces the case. But, Watson throughout the stories is portrayed as an ordinary person, as one of us, and he never, out of 60, deduces a case correctly, this therefore could show than Doyle wanted to portray Holmes as more bizarre and interesting to Watson, and that the average mind wouldn’t be able to solve the case, maybe because it’s too hard or that we don’t look at the case from different aspects.
The use of Watson is portrayed also as a major development of the crime genre helping develop the way the people consider the police force, but is the combination of Holme’s deductive skills and Watsons persistence that is vital. Watson is shown to be straightforward, hard working and dedicated to his job, and although he knows there is great danger he never backs down;
"Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in
the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking
you to-night. There is a distinct element of danger."
"Can I be of assistance?"
"Your presence might be invaluable."
"Then I shall certainly come."
"It is very kind of you."
"You speak of danger…” ( The Speckled Band)
The points above are all the necessary attributes needed in the police force, in Victorian times and nowadays. Therefore I think Doyle considered how influential his stories would be today and how they affect the british police force and his activities.
A certain structure to the Sherlock Holmes stories is shown with Watson being the prominent character, firstly, Watson starts with a statement from his memoirs or journal such as;
“It was on a bitterly cold night and frosty morning, towards the
end of the winter of '97, that I was awakened by a tugging at my
shoulder.” (The Adventure of the Abbey Grange)
Then in sequence the story is introduced along with Watson’s straightforward questions and Holmes unusual approach of asking questions from different aspects. Then the various discussions between the two main characters gives us the vital information and clues to progress our thoughts. Afterwards, we get Watson’s version of the incident which is always wrong, then, Holmes gives us the information that Watson didn’t see and tells us the rest of the case.
In my opinion, the best of the Sherlock Holmes stories is The Last Bow, this is because it is packed with suspense and tension throughout. It shows drama and suspense in different places which is why I enjoy it. Crime fiction has been developed over the years with such characters as Poirot. But all the characters have been portrayed similarly to Sherlock and Holmes. Crime fiction is so popular because it helps us become more involved and able to interact with the story. Today people such as Agatha Christie have carried on the crime genre which in my opinion is successful. The use of technology in the art of forensic science in Doyle’s books is why, in my opinion, they are successful because in those days the technology had just started and they were intrigued by it.
