Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories about the fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes have been popular since they first appeared in 1886. Explore the reasons behind this enduring popularity.

In Victorian times people became very intrigued by the new science of psyco-analysis which was then practised by Sigmund Freud. This was coincidently one of Sherlock Holmes' many characteristics. Holmes was a bit like "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde". On one side there was a very respectable west-end bachelor of high intelligence and a refined taste, he is a perfect gentleman. There is an example of this in, "The Speckled Bands" when he is speaking to Helen Stoner, he refers to her as "madam" and then invites her to "draw up to the fire and have a hot cup of coffee". However, Holmes only this one side to him then that would to unbelievable and the majority of people wouldn't accept him. He does flirt with the dark side every now and again like he does in "The Man With the Twisted Lip". Here, he is found in an opium den by Watson: "And there sitting by the fire was none other than Sherlock Holmes". He is disguised as an old opium addict and he is very deceptive as he tricked Watson. Holmes states that he is not an opium addict but reveals to the reader that he has cocaine injections on p.189, "You imagine that I have added opium smoking to my cucaine injections". This shows that this is what he expects Watson to think as he knows him so well. This flaw tells you that Sherlock Holmes is human and that he is not perfect. This lets the reader relate to him.\par

In Sherlock Holmes' stories there is always a pattern of what will occur, this gives you a sense of security as you always know what is going to happen. It is always a foregone conclusion that Holmes will solve the mystery. You can also guarantee that there will be an intervew at 221B Baker Street where Holmes will show off his skills of deduction like he does in, "The Speckled Band", where he deduces that Miss Stoner has been on a train and has had a long ride in a dog cart by simple observations. He knows she went on a train by noticing the return train ticket in her hand and he knows she had to ride on a dog cart by the spots of mud on her left sleeve for which he says, "There is no vehicle save a dog cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you sit on the left side of the driver." He even knows which side of the dog cart she sat on. Sherlock Holmes also always has expedition into London to get some clues like he does in "The Red-Headed League", where he goes to a shop which is run secretly by the Red Headed League. Watson is confused by this visit to the shop and he asks, "What then?" to which Holmes replies, "The Knee's of his trousers". After this, Holmes will lead a party of officers to aprehend the criminal, he will then reveal all the clues he has been placing together throughout the adventure and how he knew exactly where the criminal would be.\par

Sherlock Holmes' stories appeal to the modern reader in the way that it appeals to our sense of nostalgia. It lets us invision what life was like back then for the wealthy and the poor in London. The Sherlock Holmes stories are very interesting to read, you can expect adventure and comedy. Conan Doyle will always have you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. The sharp-eyed can also spot clues and red-herrings in an attempt to solve the mystery yourself. Holmes is full of surprises, you cannot predict some of the stunts he performs. The Sherlock Holmes stories are just as much appeal to readers everywhere now as they did when they were first published all those years ago.\par