Comparing Sherlock Holmes And John Dickson Carr's House In The Goblin Hills

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In John Dickson Carr‘s “House in the Goblin Wood,” Sir Henry Merrivale said, “’Y’know,’ he [Sir Henry Merrivale] said, ‘I’ll always wonder whether I was carrying the‒head.’” (as cited in Mansfield-Kelley and Marchino, 2005, p.151). The investigating styles of Sir Henry Merrivale and Sherlock Holmes are basically polar opposites. Sherlock observes, pays close attention to details, and makes quick connections. Sir Henry Merrivale, on the other hand, is more negligent and naïve. While there are many differences between the investigating style of Sherlock Holmes and Sir Henry Merrivale, there are also some similarities. Both are amateur detectives and use inductive reasoning. It would be best to first describe the differences in personality, as their personality is related to their investigating style. Sherlock Holmes’ personality is that he is very condescending, arrogant, stubborn, and thrill/adventure …show more content…

‘Our rate at present is fifty-three and a half miles an hour.’ (as cited in Mansfield- Kelley and Marchino, 2005, p.27). At the moment, that information was irrelevant. It was Holmes way of showing that he was intelligent, more so than Watson; which was both arrogant and condescending. Another aspect of HOLMES VS. H.M. …show more content…

To begin with, both are amateur detectives. Sir Henry Merrivale is very obviously am amateur-amateur detective as shown with his investigating. It is, however, argued as to whether Sherlock should be classified as an amateur or a professional detective. An amateur detective is someone who isn’t a licensed private investigator, as Holmes sometimes gets paid to solve crimes (page 27). By definition, Sherlock Holmes is, indeed, an amateur detective; like Sir Henry

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