Timeless classic Free Essay Example

Doyle creates a believable character by giving Holmes faults as well as his obvious strengths. Although there is no evidence of it in this story, in many other episodes of the series, there are references to Holmes having no family. This would certainly tie in with his character, for if he was tied down with a wife and/or children, he would not possibly be capable of becoming a great detective, as he would not be a free man, being able to come and go as he pleased.

(Watson is also a single man, and there are some people who believe there to be certain homosexual undertones in the relationship between Watson and Holmes. Although, in one story Holmes pretended to be gay to avoid confrontation from an over keen women, I do not think Doyle intended his detective to be homosexual. This is because a homosexual detective would not have been as popular as a heterosexual one as in the 19th century; being gay was virtually unheard of, and definitely frowned upon.

) Holmes is shown as being perfect in some respects…

He is the relentless, keen witted, ready-handed criminal agent … Many people would respect him, if he were real, as he would have quite possibly been the greatest detective ever, but Doyle gives Sherlock poor social skills; in some circumstances he is quite rude and impatient (though on the whole, he is very polite,). He is also suggested, not directly said, to be a lonely man; with the exception of Watson, Holmes is alone in life, his only friend is the case he is at present working on.

I think Doyle has to give his character his downsides; otherwise, he could be construed as perfect.

The readers would not accept this, as many would feel jealous and hate Holmes for his ‘perfectness’. As it is, many people, after reading the stories, can feel, that although they could never be as great a detective, they can still as good a person, if not better. Doyle uses characterisation as one of his methods of describing a character. Our visitor bore every mark of being an average commonplace British tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. As Doyle’s stories are short, he cannot afford to use space within the book describing minor characters that will only appear in one novel.

He does, however, spend a lot time describing the main characters, Watson and Holmes, and the surroundings. We get to feel that we know more about the characters with each new episode. This would have kept people buying each instalment of the series to discover new revelations about their favourite character. Holmes has the ability to astound us by drawing conclusions from small observations. Brilliant reasoning power… with every skill that a detective needs. Doyle want us to be amazed with Holmes conclusions, he does this by not explaining how he came to them until the denouement.

For example, Holmes makes the conclusion that john clay is digging a tunnel from the fact that the basement of the shop in which he works, faces into the street, and by Clay’s worn, wrinkled and stained knees. When Doyle wrote his chronicles, the British Empire was at its peak. Doyle uses many references to foreign countries, such as the Chinese tattoo. As the Empire was ruling many foreign countries, the readers might have been interested in the countries. The countries were also influencing many other aspects of their lives, such as foreign foods and spices, clothing etc.

Doyle has a common use of French words and phrases used throughout the stories, used only by Holmes. For example, L’homme c’est rien, l’oeuvre c’est tout. Though the reader probably would have known the phrases, as they are fairly common in usage, the mere fact that Holmes is the only person to use them, his intellect is boasted beyond the other characters. Doyle use places in London as locations for his plots. Baker street (Holmes’ home); 7 Pope’s-court; Fleet Street, 17, King Edward Street, near St. Pauls.

Initially, his stories were probably only intended for English people in the 19th century; in fact they might have only meant to be read by Londoners. This is why Doyle tends to only use real London locations. This would have given the Londoners a feeling of being part of the story, as many would know where these places were, some might have even been there. Doyle also uses precise dates and places every time one is mentioned. The Morning Chronicle, of April 27, 1890, and The Red Headed League is Dissolved. Oct. 9. 1890.

This gives the story an added sense of realism, allowing readers to get more involved in the story, as they could relate to it more. Doyle gives clues to the reader: What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding? … have you ever observed that his ears are pierced for earrings. Doyle has to give the reader a few clues as to the suspects, so that when he/she is finally revealed, it is not too much of a surprise. Otherwise, if the reader could not see how the conclusion is made, they will not feel like they have participated in the story, thus their enjoyment will be much less. Also, the public do not like people who can do the impossible.

Doyle always seems to place a subliminal moral in his stories; the Red Headed League is no exception. Doyle is trying to tell us the clichi?? that money is the root of all evil. It is not only the criminal that this applies too. It is because of the pawnbroker’s financial greed that he was drawn into pointless tasks, without question. The secondary moral of the story is that crime doesn’t pay. This can be interpreted from the fact that the criminal is apprehended. Sherlock Holmes stories were very popular during the 18th century due to the various literary techniques employed by the author, Conan Doyle.

He shows the ability of getting the reader inside the story, and keeping them reading throughout the entire series. Allowing the reader to be part of the story, I think is the key the series’ success. Doyle was the first person to use this sort of techniques; I feel it was Doyle tat invented the crime genre. His basic principals of writing are still used by novelist today. And even with the special effect of television, scriptwriters still base there programmes round the outline of a Holmes mystery, the most popular technique is the denouement, where the story is wrapped up and explained to the audience.

The outline, I feel, is most frequently use in the popular Inspector Morse series. Morse leads a lonely life, his also has a partner of lesser ability, and he has the ability to draw conclusions from small observations. This is the proof that Doyle has had a lasting effect on literature. Overall, the brilliant plot, gripping climax, excellent characterisation and incredible sense of realism makes The Red Headed League a Timeless classic.