Is Sherlock Holmes an Individual or a By Product of the Victorian Age? :: Sherlock Holmes Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Essays

Is Sherlock Holmes an Individual or a By Product of the Victorian Age? To the ignorant onlooker Sherlock Holmes is simply a clever detective amongst a horde of similar duplicates from various tales and myths of the crime-solving era. Sherlock Holmes is the culmination from a culture of detectives. Francis Eugene Vidocq, a â€Å"Holmes† in the making, with an utter disregard for the official police, an ability to disguise himself, and clever plans to catch the criminals accompanied by an excellent knowledge of the criminal underworld. Lecoq, used science and his cleverness to solve his crimes. Dupin, a detective who possessed powers of deduction and reasoning. Conan Doyle used all these essential ingredients and through an ingenious metamorphosis produced the ultimate detective; the meticulous observer Sherlock Holmes. If we delve deeper into the infinite chasm of Holmes' character we reveal more about the enigmatic figure that masquerades inside his majestic exterior. The entwining, interlocking tentacles of Holmes' deceivingly simple demeanour knot together to conceal his true being. His character cannot be confined to the restrictive boundaries we use for one and another. His character is far more complex and intelligent than his middle class placement in Victorian society would like to divulge. Conan Doyle created a character, blessed with gifts of deduction, intuition and a genius ability to solve crimes. But in forming this wonderful concoction he thus morphed many other sides to Holmes, seemingly oblivious to his adoring followers. He formed an untouchable creature, unable to feel emotion and passion. "He never spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer" Emotions would only make Holmes weaker, and Sherlock Holmes did not do weakness. A cold calculated scientist, an ostentatious performer, an arrogant conceited artist, a character arisen to a higher level than us 'inferior beings' Holmes' the bohemian, Holmes' the scientist, Holmes' the detective, Holmes' the gentleman, Holmes' the musician. Clever, genius, conceited, arrogant, patronising, condescending. His character is more than dual-natured. His multiple sided personality forms a complex persona to investigate. To dissect the inner chambers of Holme's thoughts, I will protrude into the depths of a classic narrative; The Red Headed League which embodies many of Holmes intricate characteristics. In this classic narrative Mr Wilson, the stereotypical ignorant victim is used as a long-suffering pawn in a game of cruel political chess, he is obliviously trapped in a criminal masterminds scheming plan to gain his revenge on society. The 'red headed league' is an exuberant ploy to keep Mr Wilson out of his lodgings for days on end under the preface that his "Real vivid flame coloured tint" had earned him a place in the ambiguous "red headed league". He has