Pre 1914 Prose: The Stories of Sherlock HolmesHow does Conan Doyle present Sherlock Holmes, the great detective, in his stories?

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Pre 1914 Prose: The Stories of Sherlock Holmes

How does Conan Doyle present Sherlock Holmes, the great detective, in his stories?

My general impression of Sherlock Holmes is that he is a very mysterious, cunning and slightly deviant individual. He is cunning because he likes catching people out (by himself without anyone else knowing) so he can get all the credit and acts quite big headed too by showing off in front of his clients. As a reader he gives me the impression that he is selfish because he treats Dr Watson as a servant and accepts Watson to bow down to him all the time. He has respect for women but no respect for men, I think this is because he has soft spots for his female clients but I'm probably wrong because it's not in his nature to do this.

When Holmes meets Helen Stoner in "The Speckled Band" he is always using a language to show he is a detective "I observe that you are shivering" along with showing her who is boss "this is my intimate friend and associate Dr. Watson". Also while he meets Helen Stoner he is very polite "good morning, madam" whereas with men he would not talk as politely. He also tries to impress her "you have come in by train this morning, I see" he is self-indulgent. He shows her compassion (which is rare for Holmes to do) but it's sarcastic anyway " 'you must not fear' said he soothingly, bending forward and patting her forearm". He goes into out of his way to impress Miss Stoner by going into going into great (and pointless) detail about how he knew how she travelled there "You must of started early, and yet you had a good drive in a dogcart, along heavy roads, before you reached the station", weather or not he's got a soft spot for her I don't know but its highly unlikely as it's not in Holmes' nature to do so. Miss Stoner is baffled about how Holmes knew how she got to the meeting " 'There is no mystery, my dear madam' said he, smiling" which is also shows that Holmes is smug at this moment.

Once Holmes had listened to Miss Stoner's story he accused straight away of not telling him everything "Miss Stoner, you have not. You are screening your stepfather". He done this again by observing Miss Stoner but this time her wrist and not her clothes "The marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed upon the white wrist" this could of meant that she had been "cruelly abused" possibly by her stepfather. He sat down in his office, by "the crackling fire" and there was "a long silence" while he thought of the information he had gathered. He then asked Miss Stoner if it would be possible if they could "see over these rooms without the knowledge of your stepfather" which is conspiritual. When Miss Stoner said it was alright for them to do this asks Watson "you are not averse to this trip, Watson?" which is more like a statement of Holmes telling Watson what to do, this shows once again that Holmes is the boss and has full control of Watson. As Miss Stoner leaves she says "My heart is lightened already since I have confided my trouble to you" This is her thanking Holmes and saying to him you have made me feel at ease. When Miss Stoner arrived she was agitated "frightened eyes like those of a haunted animal" but when she left she wasn't "glided from the room" this can be said as Holmes' touch. Once Miss Stoner leaves Holmes tests how well Watson has been listening to the conversation by asking him "And what do you think of it all, Watson?"
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When Holmes meets Miss Stoner's stepfather (Dr Grimesby Roylott) Holmes says to Roylott "my name, sir, but you have the advantage of me" and Roylott replies straight away with "I am Dr Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran" as Holmes said it patronisingly and has got strong powers of observation. Holmes is always polite and charming even with people he doesn't particularly get along with (mainly men) "Pray take a seat". When Roylott asks Holmes about his stepdaughter hr quickly diverts the subject by politely saying "It is a little cold for the time of year", so Roylott furiously ...

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