The Heroes Curiosity in She and The Sign of Four The hero cannot progress without curiosity. However, curiosity can turn into a dangerous obsession. There are many good examples of this throughout Victorian literature. Literary works such as She by H. Rider Haggard and The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, for example, reflect the curious mind at work using scientific exploration to achieve the goal of solving the mystery, but attempting to solve the mystery poses dangers to the protagonists that, at first, they are unaware of. The curious mind, seeking discovery, eventually sees the dangers but does not turn back. The mystery has become an obsession to the curious mind, and for the curious mind, solving the mystery has become more important than self-preservation. However, without the obsessive curiosity and without the danger that follows that curiosity, there would be no heroes in the story and, therefore, no story. There is one immensely popular figure in Victorian literature that uses scientific deduction to solve criminal mysteries, and his curiosity to solve mysteries has become his obsession. However, he is so cool and distant from his own emotions that he does not care if the obsession leads to his destruction, as long as he solves the mystery to appease his voracious mind first. The only thing that truly excites him in a passionate way, the one thing that causes any emotion within his cool demeanor, is his curiosity, which is his addiction, for solving mysteries. He is the hero of the story The Sign of Four, and his name, of course, is Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock Holmes is a character that is confident, maybe even arrogant. He always makes it back after the mystery ... ... middle of paper ... ...help and protect his adopted son. These characters, in their seemingly mad obsessive curiosity, show also bravery and nobility in uncovering mysteries. They do what they do not only for themselves, but for the benefit of others as well, and this is what makes them literary heroes and not mere protagonists. Another Victorian character who is also driven by curiosity but who is not brave or noble is Dr. Jekyll. He was obsessively curious about the duality of good and evil in the human soul, but all of his research was for his selfish gain, which ended in his death. Sherlock Holmes and Ludwig Horace Holly, who at times act selfishly, also do things unselfishly to help others. That is why they are heroes, and that is one of the reasons why they are popular to this day. In their case, their curiosity, which turns into dangerous obsession for them, is worth it.
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Show MoreDetective fiction always ends with a successful resolution because law and order is restored. Once moral and social order is restored this impacts the reader as they are still trying to figure out how it happened and how did Holmes solve the crime. The reader also feels relieved when a crime is solved especially if it was Victorian readers.
Heroism is what can motivate a person’s actions. “Aslan’s words are the perfect expression of Lewis’s idea of heroism as a sacrifice and responsibility.” (Sgro). Heroism takes courage. It takes courage to stand up for what is right, especially when you know the consequences behind your actions aren’t always morally correct. Lucy, Mr. Tumnus, Aslan and the Beavers are all examples of heroes in the novel. When Mr. Tumnus decided to not turn Lucy into the White Witch, he knew that he would have to face very harsh consequences but he decided to do the right thing. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver also displayed very heroic acts when they sacrificed their lives to take the children to Aslan, as well as when they fought in the battle against the Witch. Heroism is not the easiest thing to achieve; it takes courage, sacrifice, and
Some readers might argue that curiosity is one of the many themes of the book and one can not deny that there are various themes to this book. Nevertheless, curiosity is the best theme that should be recognized because curiosity is shown throughout the course of the whole book. In chapter six, paragraph two, Mr. Utterson almost gives in to curiosity, “A great curiosity came on the trustee, to disregard the prohibition and dive at once to the bottom of these mysteries; but professional honour and faith to his dead friend were stringent obligations; and the packet slept in the inmost corner of his private safe.” Curiosity is so very powerful in this book because Mr. Utterson's curiosity almost drove him into looking at a letter he legally was not suppose to look at. In chapter six, paragraph thirteen, it shows the difference of what curiosity can do to you, “It is one thing to mortify curiosity, another to conquer it; and it may be doubted if, from that day forth, Utterson desired the society of his surviving friend with the same eagerness.” The quote is expressing that it is one thing to have curiosity but it is another to let it control your life. Once you let it control you it is hard to revert back to being free. Also in chapter six, in paragraph fourteen, it shows that without curiosity, and being intrigued, sometimes you have no motivation to keep you returning, “Utterson became so used to
As a reader, one can overlook “the detective’s social abnormality only because these are attached to individuals we take to be normal” (Gregoriou 25) as well as Watson’s adoration for Holmes pores through the narration and binds the reader.
The manner in which humans find entertainment in art such as, books or movies often correlate to the degree to which they relate to the art form. The acclaim for a The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, a series of short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the Victorian era and the motion picture Sherlock Holmes from America in the 21st Century reflect the standing morals and society of the time periods. Both the novel and movie are a product of the current society, world and values of their time.
“Curiosity is the lust of the mind”(Thomas Hobbes). The short story I chose to read and analyze is Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of the Usher. Poe’s essay is strong in the curiosity tone as illustrated when analyzing the Narrator and Roderick.
In the novel, Sherlock Holmes The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are given a case that is paranormal. They decide to split up and Dr. Watson is given the task to stay by Sir Henry’s side while looking for clues. They cross paths against and Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson meet to discuss this case as a murder. They find major clues against Mr. Stapleton leading to his death. The novel explores the theme of not being ruled by fear through characters dealing with the apparent supernatural myth coming to life.
that force. This, I found, is not as simple as it sounds due not only
One trait that Sherlock Holmes possesses is determination. For instance, when Sherlock took some of the yellow powder that was present by both of the dead bodies that had died from “the plague” and went to Guilford to find out what it was. On his way back from Guilford, he ran into Virginia. On page 153 Virginia asked, “So you risked your life based on the fact that you thought everyone else was wrong and you could prove them wrong?” Sherlock didn't know what it was and if it had caused the plague like death, but he was determined to prove that it wasn't the plague. Another example was when
The Sherlock Holmes series, has, like most enduring literary works, both challenged and conformed to the ideals of its age. Today, more than a hundred years after his first adventure, Sherlock Holmes remains one of the most beloved fictional characters of the Victorian era.
This paper will explore the relationship between Sherlock Holmes and his companion and friend Dr. John Watson. What is the relationship between Holmes and Watson? Are they compatible or are their differences to great for them to overcome. Looking at how they work together will also be a key factor in how well the relationship works between the two of them. Do their own interests and abilities get in the way? Does the time period in which they live factor into the environment of their communication styles?
In the novel, The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick, Dr. Watson, is confronted with an eerie mystery situated around the fabled Hound of the Baskervilles. They are challenged with many risks and in the end must unearth the mystery before it is too late. Throughout the enigma, Sir Arthur explores the theme of what can happen when one does or does not let themselves be ruled and dominated by fear.
Sherlock Holmes, a name most people would know if they were to hear it, has come to greatly influence the modern world of mysteries. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had no idea a character he started to write about for the first time in 1887 would still be carried alive by other TV and movie producers in 2014. Doyle also never new that Holmes would become such a popular character or result in a name mostly everybody would know. Even if there was a person who did not know who or what Sherlock Holmes was, they are certain to have at least heard his name before. “Doyle turned his principal character into a household word” (Haining 7). Doyle started a legacy that lives on forever. Sherlock Holmes personality and looks may change with every generation he is in, but his main characteristics remain the same. Sherlock Holmes’ style of deduction, great sense of observation and strange personality in Arthur Doyle’s stories influenced how TV and movie producers would portray Holmes in their version of Doyle’s mysteries in shows such as Elementary and Sherlock.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle writes a short story about how innocence gets victimized by a royal subject. When a royal figure clashes with someone who is not equal in social class, he will do anything to hide his mistake. This is when the King hires Sherlock Holmes. Arthur Conan Doyle based Holmes off of a man named Dr. Joseph Bell, who was a friend of his in medical school. When Doyle saw that medical practice was not a success, he began writing Holmes stories for money. The public became infatuated with not only the stories, but mainly Sherlock Holmes. When Doyle wanted to write in more respectable genres (Duncan 3), he made one enormous mistake.
Sherlock Holmes is probably the most well-known and loved fictional detective in literature. Sherlock Holmes is a London based “consulting detective’ whose abilities border on the fantastic. Sherlock Holmes is known for his astute logical reasoning. His abilities can adopt to any disguise, and his use of forensic science to solve difficult cases. He lives at 221b Baker Street in London. He notices things that others simply don't and then he draws accurate conclusions about what he sees. He experiences strong mood swings. He also plays the violin. But most of all, he is a master of deductive reasoning.