A Successful Relationship

The relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Watson is crucial to the success of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Detective stories; however, there are many more factors, which make the stories so successful such as problems presented in the case and factors affecting tension. Their relationship, though, is a key point to the timelessness and popularity of the stories. A successful relationship and the success of a detective story depend on many things, such as: intelligence, authority, and respect for one another as men. Sherlock Holmes and Watson work so well together because although they are good friends they possess different qualities, which make them ‘gel’ together. For instance, Holmes is a very intelligent man, on the basis of his character and his and watson’s relationship, other detectives such as Inspector Morse and Lewis, have been created. Watson’s qualities are those of being a well, educated doctor and trustworthy as the narrator and chronicler due to his medical background. They make good partners because of these qualities the evidence is that they have worked well in a number (70 cases) of cases before. The stories are set, in Victorian London and consequently the attitude to women and foreigners, are very different to today. Similarly the vehicles used back in the late 1800’s were dogcarts, which meant that transport was very slow and limited to the distance a horse could go. Thus it took a long time to go anywhere even if you were Holmes and Waston who were much respected men. This often provides Holmes with the chance to think while, like the reader Watson waits patiently for him to speak or explain a case or solve a mystery. Also evident in the stories’ because of the time is the attitude to the police. Holmes looks...

... middle of paper ...

...re only a part of the success.

Another part of the success of Conan Doyle’s detective stories is the use of speech and content. In TMWTTL Watson is talking to his wife, his wife then talks to Mrs St Clair. During and after the Opium Den Holmes converses with Watson. This shows to us that not only does the story and conversation always come back to Holmes and Watson but that it is made easy to understand through the eyes of Watson. In TSB Holmes and Watson start of the case by talking to Helen Stoner. Holmes then reports back to Watson again showing their tight connection. In TET Mr. Victor Hatherley starts by talking to Watson who then reports to Holmes, again showing their tight relationship.

In conclusion I think that Holmes and Watson do have a very close relationship in which they can solve cases together, and are able to understand each other with great ease.