When writing, one finds it is often easier to write about what one already knows. Some authors may find inspiration in their personal lives, the world around them, or the lives of close friends and family. When a work of art or a book is inspired by one of these factors, the work itself contains connections back to the inspiration and in turn, the life of the author himself. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle finds inspiration for his series of novels about the genius detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend Dr. John Watson in many different places. In his novel, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle makes connections to his career, his colleague, and the stories of his friend.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, in addition to being an author, is also a doctor (“Arthur Conan Doyle”). Aspects of his career as a doctor are visible in the unique way Sherlock Holmes solves his mysteries. As a doctor, one must piece together seemingly unconnected information such as congested sinuses and a fever to come up with a diagnosis. Doyle uses the same method when writing about how Sherlock puts clues together to come up with a culprit (“Arthur Conan Doyle”). On one occasion, Sherlock deduces from apparently random facts that Mr. and Mrs. Stapleton are not brother and sister but rather husband and wife (Doyle 8). On another occasion, Sherlock deduces the pets, walking habits, occupation, age, build, and location of employment using only a walking cane as reference (Doyle, “The Complete Sherlock” 636-37). These two instances portray Sherlock using the same skills of deduction Doyle himself uses as a doctor. However, the profession of being a doctor is not the only aspect of medicine which inspires Doyle.
Sherlock Holmes, the main character in T...
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...the inspirations for the unique way Sherlock Holmes is able to deduce people and crimes. His colleague, Dr. Joseph Bell, remains the framework for the startlingly genius Sherlock Holmes, who has an almost supernatural set of deductive skills. Fletcher Robinson’s story about a ghostly hound is the inspiration for the plot and setting of the novel itself. In almost every novel ever written, it is possible to find connections between the author and the work itself.
Works Cited
"Arthur Conan Doyle." Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2008.
Literature Resource Center. Web. 19 Mar. 2014.
Doyle, Arthur Conan, and Publishing Saddleback Educational. The Hound Of The
Baskervilles. Irvine: Saddleback Educational Pub, 2010. EBSCOhost. Web.
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Doyle, Arthur Conan. The Complete Sherlock Holmes. New York: Barnes & Noble,
2009. Print.
at the time of Conan Doyle. However, it was the very early days of Police
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is best known for his Sherlock Holmes stories. Although he did many more, these proved to be the most popular to this very day. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh in 1859 and lived until 1930. The time in which Sir Conan Doyle lived, had a great influence on his work. Doyle served in the South African Wars as a doctor. This influenced him because when he returned to England he wrote "The Boer War," and "The War in South Africa: Its Causes and Conduct" which justified England's participation. For these works he was knighted in 1902. During World War I he wrote the "History of British Campaign in France," and "Flanders" as a tribute to British bravery. One of Doyle's famous Sherlock Holmes story is "The Speckled Band." This is the murder Mystery I am using to compare to Roald Dahl's "Lamb to the Slaughter"
Cox, J. R. (1988). Arthur Conan Doyle. In B. Benstock & T. F. Staley (Eds.), Dictionary of Literary Biography: Vol. Vol. 70. British Mystery Writers, 1860-1919. Detroit: Gale Research. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CH1200002740&v=2.1&u=miamidade&it=r&p=LitRC&sw=w&asid=195f77572a41d90d4e0074cb8695c7ea
Crimes around Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s time have been an inspiration to his work, like the case of Jack the Ripper, a serial killer that killed over 5 women in the 1800’s and hasn’t been found and The Whitehall Mystery which was an unsolved case where the police found dismembered remains of women around London. The titles of said cases sound like they would be a title to one of his tales. As a reader of his tales, Doyle is and always will be, remembered as one of the most legendary writers of all time. He brought fear, excitement, love, loyalty, wonderful characters and a horrible crime-filled world to the readers.
The acclaimed authors, Edgar Allan Poe and Arthur Conan Doyle, formulate the characters of Auguste Dupin and Sherlock Holmes respectively, to be similar in the way that they analyze, deduce, and connect segments of desperate and often-thought “unsolvable” detective cases. Through their comparable techniques and system of deduction, Dupin and Holmes never fail to trace back their evidence to the scene of the crime. However, due to the vast difference in the writing styles of Poe and Doyle, the audience observes the main characters not as clones, but rather an analogous pair that think alike, but do not act alike. The personalities of Auguste Dupin and Sherlock Holmes, although present are recognizable differences in their actions, continue to
Comment on the way Conan Doyle uses the character of Watson in The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had an interesting life, full of ups and downs, but regardless, he made himself a man worth remembering. Doyle was born on May 22nd in 1859 in Edinburgh, Scotland. This town had an eerie atmosphere, providing inspiration for the setting of The Hound. Additionally, Edinburgh has moors similar to those surrounding Baskerville Hall. As he grew up in the atmospheric city, he attended a Jesuit school. “Doyle began his writing career while at The University of Edinburgh, where he started medical studies in 1876” (“Arthur Conan Doyle”). He spent a vast majority of his childhood in his ominous hometown, therefore it greatly influenced the setting of The Hound of the Baskervilles.
A major theme within Doyle 's The Hound of the Baskervilles is the supernatural versus reason. Sherlock Holmes uses reason and logic in order to solve cases, but the case of the Hound is underlined by a mystery that leans toward the supernatural. The local legend of the Hound and the supernatural atmosphere of the moor leads to doubt as to the true nature of the crime. Holmes is shown to be "the ultimate rational being-
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?
For Sherlock Holmes, his partner in crime is Dr. John H. Watson. Not only is he a trusted friend, but also he is Holmes’ associate and the first person narrator of the Sherlock tales. The stories of Sherlock Holmes are a collection of short stories and fictional novels created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. These stories are based on a famous and most notorious detective all throughout London, Sherlock Holmes. Along his side, Dr. Watson narrates his and Holmes’ detective cases and reveals Sherlock’s abilities and knowledge of solving cases and fighting deadly crimes. For the duration of the stories, Watson and Holmes share a particular relationship where Holmes verbally dominates Watson, “You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is very clear” (Doyle 241). When he isn’t insulting Dr. Watson he talks about how much he relies on his partner, “I am lost without my Boswell” (Doyle 243).
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a British physician and writer, mostly well known for his stories “Sherlock Holmes”, which are generally in the field of crime fiction. He was a prolific writer whose other works include science fiction stories, historical novels, plays and romances, poetry, and non-fiction.
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, one of the most famous fictional characters in literary history is a detective capable of solving the most complex mysteries. The author behind the character, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a very successful British writer. The majority of his literary success is due to his crime-fiction tales such as the Sherlock Holmes series. However, Mr. Doyle and Mr. Holmes himself must not take all the credit because there is another character that plays a major role in the stories success. He goes by the name of Dr. Watson, Holmes’ sidekick. The importance of Dr. Watson is evident in many of Doyle’s stories such as A Scandal in Bohemia and A Study in Scarlett.
The iconic image of Sherlock Holmes as a suave English gentleman wearing a Deerstalker cap and a cape was portrayed in most of the feature films. He was created in the 19th century and was the prime figure in four novels and more than 50 short stories. For this reason of the continued popularity, the novels, comic books, television shows, theater movies and the newest T.V productions, Sherlock and his broad shoulders will continue to credit the writings of Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes has recently shifted from a Victorian image to a 21st century super hero. The star role continues to be inspiring and irresistible.
Analyse the use of Dr Watson as the narrator of The Hound of the Baskervilles