Sherlock HolmesHow successful is Conan Doyle in writing detective fiction that appeals to a modern reader?
Sherlock Holmes
How successful is Conan Doyle in writing detective fiction that appeals to a modern reader?
Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes stories were written in the Victorian times and were based on some events in his life. Sherlock Holmes was based around a friend Dr Joseph bell, who would deduce injuries just by looking at them.
People enjoy Crime fiction because in detective stories , like crosswords, you have to figure out the clues to the problem, also it makes the reader feel they are working alongside the detective. The stories build up tension and suspense to make people feel on the edge of they're seats. Conan Doyle use's many different techniques to write good stories for example he uses personification, to describe settings, imaginative characters etc... Doyle makes his characters resemble animals, this is so the reader can immediately identify the hero, villain and victim.
One of the factors that enables readers to appreciate Sherlock Holmes stories is Watson, His role as narrator is important because he asks the questions that the reader wants to know. For example in the red- headed league Watson asks,
"But how could you guess what the motive was?"
This shows us that even Watson cant get to the solution, like the reader, but somehow Holmes can, he asks what the reader is thinking, this gives Holmes the chance to show off his intelligence when he explains how he knew what had happened and what was going to happen.
Watson is admired by Holmes
"This gentleman( Watson) has been my partner and helper in many of my most successful cases."
This shows Homes respects Watson and thinks of Watson as a massive help to him in all his cases, and needs Watson to help in solving the mystery, this is proved when Holmes says "some of my most successful cases."
The structure of Conan Doyle's stories also adds tension, suspense and excitement. All stories follow a outline. They have a situation a problem a climax and resolution. The situation in red headed league is Jabez Wilson going to Sherlock Holmes, the problem is what is the red-headed league? And Why has it dissolved? The climax is the robbery and how to stop it and the resolution is Sherlock Holmes saying how he solved the mystery.
Doyle's stories draw you in by having red herrings and narrative hooks. These are to throw the reader, and the detective of the scent, for example in 'The speckled band' the gypsies and animals were there to through the reader of the main suspect Dr Roylett. An example of a narrative hook is...
Holmes finds the case very intriguing
"the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every possible detail from your lips."
This hooks the reader in because Holmes has said it is peculiar, this suggest that it may be hard to figure out, and if it is hard for him to figure out then the reader will have to pay really close attention to it. Holmes wants to everything said because every little detail could be a clue to help solve the mystery.
Also there are clues hidden in the text as you ...
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Holmes finds the case very intriguing
"the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every possible detail from your lips."
This hooks the reader in because Holmes has said it is peculiar, this suggest that it may be hard to figure out, and if it is hard for him to figure out then the reader will have to pay really close attention to it. Holmes wants to everything said because every little detail could be a clue to help solve the mystery.
Also there are clues hidden in the text as you read through but the reader misses them because how there set out.
"Little newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the city of suburban bank, the vegetarian restaurant..."
In this Doyle tell the reader where the crime is going to take place, City of suburban Bank, but because it set out in list form the reader doesn't pick up on the clue.
Knox's theory was that all good detective writers must use ten techniques to make a good story, Doyle use 9 of these in "the speckled band" and 10 in "red headed league" this makes his stories enjoyable for people to read.
Setting is another feature used by Conan Doyle to interest and engage the reader within "the speckled band" Doyle describe Stoke Moran as a crab to make the reader recognise that it is not a good place.
Te red headed league is set on London streets.
"it is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of London'"
This tell us that it is set in London and that Holmes has good knowledge of the area, and would know how to get to a certain place from sewers or from normal level. London in those times was full of pollution, that left a permanent heavy fog over the city , so it was a very dark and glumly place to be therefore it is a good setting for readers.
The speckled band is set in Stoke Moran
The building was grey, lichen blotched stone, with a high central poration, and two curving wings like the claws of a crab."
The effect of using a simile to describe the setting of Stoke Moran as a crab tell the reader immediately that that all is not right there, also is paints a picture in the readers head of the building. Also a dark and eerie feel is given to the building when it is said to be Grey lichen blotched.
The speckled band is a gothic story because it has Gloomy settings, hidden doors, strange events, violence, mystery, cruelty , unpredictable characters and a natural explanation at the end.
In the two stories the victims appearance is very different, in the red headed lague the victim is a man called Jabez Wilson, who is gullible and stupid, whereas in The speckled band it is a female called Helen stoner and looks scared and shaken. Both have gone to Sherlock Holmes with a problem this shows that Holmes is well known for what he does.
Jabez Wilson is described with pig like features for example when Watson describes him " a Very stout, florid faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair" He is described as a pig and a bit of an idiot so the character may feel sorry for him but still laugh at him.
However Helen stoner is a lot more innocent and very scared, the audience just feels sorry for her and wants the villain to be caught so she is happy.
The villains are also presented with animal features. The villain in the red headed league is John clay/Vincent Spaulding and in the speckled band it is Dr Roylott. Sherlock Holmes catches both villains just before or during the crime they were committing proving that Holmes is very intelligent. The Villains in both books are after money and greed is present.
Vincent Spaulding/John Clay is described with hawk features and acid scars, very commonly used to represent a villain, he is also very cleaver and respects Holmes a little bit for catching him as he thought no-one could.
In the speckled band Dr Roylott is a ferocious man who use his strength to scare people, he also has bird of prey like features. He is introduced as a rude stern character as he approaches Holmes in a direct intruding manner, when he goes to Holmes office and bends a poking fork.
Another technique that is used is the use of narrative hooks to draw the reader into the story, the keep the reader guessing on what has happened.
Holmes thinks that Wilson's assistant is very suspicious.
"You seam most fortunate in having an employee who comes under the full market price."
This tells the reader that the assistant is not a very trustable character because Holmes doesn't trust him. It is very strange that a very good assistant would work for less but be happy unless he wanted to get something out of it.
Holmes is puzzled by the case
"the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every possible detail from your lips."
This hooks the reader in because Holmes has said it is peculiar, this suggest that it may be hard to solve, and if it is hard for Holmes to figure out then the reader will have to pay really close attention to it if the want to solve it with him. Holmes wants to hear everything said because every little detail could be a clue to help solve the mystery and catch the villain.
In the speckled band Holmes again find the story intriguing.
"From what you have told me I think that it is possible that graver issues hang from it that might first appear"
Holmes knows straight away that something bigger is going on but the reader doesn't know and wants to find out, this is how it draws you in as a reader. It tells you that something bad is going to happen soon and Holmes needs to deduce the problem quickly.
When both stories reach there climax, Doyle creates tension and suspense. He does this by using shorter sentences and quicker rhythm to the section. Both climaxes are set in the dark to create extra tension and excitement. Watson always is told By Holmes to take his revolver in case it is needed.
Watson is quite scared
"my nerves pitched up to a pitch of expectancy,"
Watson is scared and knows that something big is going to happen and he may have to shoot the villain. The sentence are quite short and emotional is built up to when John Clay walk in.
In is very quick and exciting near the end of the climax.
From my position, look over the case in the direction of the floor, suddenly my eyes caught a glance of light"
It build up with small sentence and is suspense on who is coming out of the floor when there is light coming from it. This show Watson feelings and that he is scared of what is about to happen.
It is all silent.
"I could not hear a sound, not even the drawing of breath."
Everything is quiet this build up tension, it is quiet so that Holmes can hear everything that is going on, because it is very dangerous.
Holmes fears for Watson
"Do not go to sleep you very life may depend on it."
This is another narrative hook, the reader wants to know why Watson is in danger and what may kill him. You also feel for Watson because he may die and you don't want that to happen. Holmes is also scared but puts on a brave face because he knows what is going to happen and how dangerous it will be.
Holmes has to be respected because if he wasn't then no-one would read the books. The reader is made to respect Holmes though his methods and deductions for example when he deduce what Jabez Wilson and Helen stoner has done before there visits him. He also Doesn't take payments for his cases, only for equipment that is needed. He also treats Helen stoner very gently and kindly as she is obviously scared of something. I think that Holmes is an ideal detective because he is smart strong brave and deduces some of the harder things. Here a few ways to make him appeal mire to a modern reader for example he is a bit old for today modern readers they prefer younger 'Hipper' heroes. He is sometime arrogant but he needs to be to solve the cases, he needs to whatever possible to catch the villain. However he does treat Watson with respect and thinks very highly of him, he always involves him in his cases "should it prove an interesting case, you would, I am sure wish to follow it"
People believed Sherlock Holmes stories when they were written because they were exciting, also it was in the times of 'Jack the ripper' and the public needed someone who they could trust, as they didn't trust the police force as they didn't believed they tried everything to try and stop crime. Sherlock Holmes is still read today because the books are exciting and enjoyable, and there are easy to follow, even though you don't figure out the mystery the first time if you look back though the book the clues are all there. I enjoyed the stories because the gave me something to think about when reading a book and it involves the reader and you want to try and figure out what has happened before Sherlock Holmes figures it out< however little details may make it more enjoyable for example making Holmes more modern with the readers.
