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Benson Lim
Dr. Harrison
26 August 2014
Writing 39B-Online
Watson Is The Reason Why Conan Doyles Novels Are Popular
There are many features that shape a detective story. Such factors are the
detective himself, or the mysterious story plot. However, in Sir Arthur Conan Doyles
novellas, the popularity of his novels are due to an infinite number of reason three main
reasons: Watson as the narrator, Watson relationship with Holmes, and Watson
representation as the middle class man. Many scholars critics have agreed that the
popularity of Doyles short stories Doyles popularity is due to the brilliant Sherlock
Holmes himself, while other consider Dr. John Watson as the narrator as the main reason
for Doyles success. Some scholars goes even further saying that his novels are so
widely because of his juxtaposition between modern and industrial civilization along with
his coining of the term deduction. Although, there are many other scholar such as and
Ruth Prigozy, authors of the novel Theory and Practice of Detective Fiction, who claims
that Doyles fame is because of Sherlock Holmes, reasons why Doyles novellas
became so widely acclaimed , other scholars such as Leroy Panek, author of the article
An Introduction to the Detective Story claims that the Doyles fame is stems from the root
of Watson , such these are just a few of the many reasons why people read Doyles
novels.
In the novels, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, scholars explicate multiple reasons why
his novels are so popular. One the reason is because of Sherlock Holmes himself. In the
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book, Theory and Practice of Detective Fiction, by Jerome H. Delamater and Ruth
Prigozy, Dalameter and Prigozy explains the reason for Doyle fames was because of
Holmes classification as the worlds first consulting detective. Throughout the book,
Dalameter and Prigozy illustrates that Holmes did not conform to the social norms of his
time as a normal detective, but rather his abnormal personality and appearance are what
help aid in spearheaded his popularity, and subsequently lead to the popularity of Doyles
novellas. A notable example is in Doyles novel, A Study in Scarlet, where Dr. John
Watson, the narrator, characterize Holmes as an extremely thin and tall man who is over
six feet tall with a pair of sharp and piercing eyes, and a hawk like nose (Doyle 9).
Doyles characterization along with Dalameter and Prigozys views of Holmes as
mysterious man is what lead to the popularity of Doyles novel. In addition, another
reason was because Holmes split personality. Throughout the book, An Introduction of
Detective Story, LeRoy Penken illustrates that Holmes split personality is what compel
the readers to read Doyles novels. Penken highlights Holmes character as sloppy, lazy,
and drug addict (Penken 6). In the Doyles novel, A Study in Scarlet, Watsons
characterizes Holmes as puzzling and ironic. He explains that although Holmes is
intelligent and witty, he make irrational choices such as injecting himself with cocaine
(Doyle 3). Penkens further asserts that Holmes does not jog or do executive exercise,
but is able accomplishes all these tasks as an expert ( Penken 8). Holmes ironic
behavior and skills are what make people fascinated about him, therefore, this interest to
know more about Holmes character is what one of the many reason why Doyles novels
are so admired. Some scholars such as
Throughout the story, Dr. John Watson function as the narrator is one of the many
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reasons why Doyles novels has become popular are popular. Watson function as the
narrator has is to provided deep insight and characterization of Holmes into the life of
Sherlock Holmes. Not only, is Watson role in the story is a porthole into the life of
Sherlock Holmes Holmes life ,but also he serves as link into connecting the readers to
the story. In the article, Murder Will Out, T.J Binyon states that the creation of Watson
is a stock of Genius (Binyon 9). Binyon reason to his claim is because Watson purpose
is to bring plausibility to Holmes style of deduction in which they would otherwise
lack (9). The reason he explicates his central premise of around Watsons as the narrator
is because he serves as the guide, or in this case function as the readers eyes where his
comment and views are what makes the series believable and plausible. A notable
example is in the beginning of story The Sign of Four, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In
this scene Watson narrates Holmess drug addiction as so Holmes took ... [the]
hypodermic syringe... [and] thrust the sharp point home ... with a sign of satisfaction (
Doyle 3). In this scene, Watson role as the narrator is not only to depict Holmes drug
addition, but also to portray the scene through his eyes, where reader relates to Watson
and in turn believe what is happening in the setting. Other scholar, such as Leroy Panek,
author of the article An Introduction to the Detective Story, claims the same reason as to
what Binyon says for Doyles success. Although, both scholars have drawn to the same
conclusion, Paneks central premise does not fall completely around Binyons claims,
rather Pankek states that Watson role, as the narrator is part of Doyles success. Even
though, both scholar have different views in term of the magnitude of Watson role as the
narrator, both scholar still are drawn to the same conclusion that Watsons role as the
narrator is a major contributor to Doyles fame.
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Although, the plot centers around Holmes and Watson solving mysteries and
crimes, the relationship between the two men combining with Dr. Watsons voice are
what help gain the is what help aided in galvanize the popularity Doyles novellas.
Throughout the storyline plot , the relationship between Holmes and Watson can be
described as a teacher and student relationship (Penken 6). Some scholars, such as
Penken explicate that the reason why for Doyle claim to fame in literature is because
Holmes function as the teacher, while Watson function as the student. The reason why
Penken says this is because the kinship between Holmes and Watson is vividly seen
where Holmes teaches and educates Watson about solving mysteries and crime cases,
while Watson learns Holmes methods of deduction. In the short story, The Sign of Four
A Scandal In Bohemia, this is the student teach relationship is vividly illustrated when
Watson constantly ask questions about the case and Holmes reply to his inquiry. A
notable examples is in the beginning of the story where Holmes is able to deduce to
Watson that the agent that is sent by the King of Bohemia is in fact Wilhelm Gottsreich
Sigismond von Ormstein, the king himself. Penkens comments between the two men a
teacher and a student- along with the novel the short story, The Sign of Four, helps
further buttress why Doyles novels have become popular during its time; this is because
of the relationship of how Watson is constantly learning and developing as a character,
which is similar to as a student, while Holmes is stagnant in terms of knowledge where
he educating and teaching, which is similar to as a teacher. Although, other scholars, such
Maria Konnikova, refute against Penken claim, saying that the bond In addition,
scholars the bond that Holmes and Watson make the reader captivated of how a doctor
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and a consulting detective are able to get along so well. Further, the relationship
between Holmes and Watson can be classify as is that of a mentor and mentee, where
Holmes guide shape and molds Watsons views both scholar are drawn to the same
conclusion that the link between Holmes and Watson is able to be classified as superior
and inferior. Throughout the Doyles short stories, Watsons narration of the plot
highlight how their relationship cultivate and deep kinship between one another, this is
subsequently seen in Penkens book. the relationship between Waston and Homes is what
helped foster the support of Doyles literary fame. Watsons chronicle of the plot
combine with their unique relationship is what captivates reader to continuing reading
Doyles novel.
Scholar such as John S. McBarney says that the reason why Doyle novella are so
popular is because of the contrast in culture difference between modern and indigenous
civilization. In the novel, The Sign of Four, Doyle depicts Tonga, the indigenous
Abernesian man, as an exotic animal. Doyle refers Tonga as an it where Watson
characterize Tonga as a savage and a distorted creature. McBarney explicates that the
culture views of how the English men and women views foreign are not accurate as
depicted in the novel, but rather base on racial prejudice, impudence, and generalization.
McBarney author of the academic article, Racial and Criminal Types: Indian
Ethnography and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Sign of Four, says the reason for the
popularity of Doyles novel is because difference in cultural heritage, where theEnglish
make up false facts about uncivilized cultures. An notable examples is when McBarney
corrected the content about the height of the as rather being barely four feet tall , the
Abernesian are actual ranging form four feet six to eight. By creating a skew image,
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English men and women become fascinated about the new word. In additon, McBarney
further stresses that along with the culutre contrast, physical attributes of the people from
the new word further compel the readers to read Doyles novella. In his academic article,
McBarney stress that Anthropologist in the Victorian Era measured intelligence base on
the human cranium. McBarney highlights the reason why English men and women reads
Doyle novel because of the superiority they feel. The reason for Doyle popularity is
because of the juxtaposition of both culture and physical attributes between western and
eastern civilization.
Another reason for the popularity of Doyles novels is Doyle popularization of the
term deduction. During late London Victorian century, deduction is not viewed as it
know today, cleaver. In the article, Murder Will Out, T.J Binyon, explicates that the
reason for popularity of Doyles novel is because he attaches the concept of deduction
with Homes. Binyon says that by bridging a connection between deductions as an
instance drawn out from a generality, Holmes character is greatly link with the term
deduction as his trademark (Binyon 2). An example that highlight this is when Holmes
makes inference that is seldom ... proven incorrect (3). Take for instance when Homes
make a remarks to Watson about who the pawnbroker of the Red-Headed League in
one of Doyles short stories. Doyles novel is so well-liked because of his popularization
of the term deduction to the character of Holmes.
Lastly, the reason for the popularity of Doyles short story is because of Watson
representation as the middle class man. Binyon and Panek have both drawn to the same
conclusion that Watson function as an extension to the audience of the story. Academic
scholar have claims that that detective and mystery stories are targeted towards the
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middle class, in which Watson is the perfect role (Binyon 9). Watson is the ideal every
day English citizen, where his profession and comment are beloved by all the reader and
the characters in the Sherlock Holmes series, such as Mary Morstan, an average English
woman. The key to Doyles success as Binyon and Panke have both agree upon is the
ability of how the reader are able to relate and empathize with his character. However, if
Watson was removed as the narrator, or even exculpated from the plot, the reader will
lose the ability to relate to the Doyles stories, which in turn would lead to reader
disliking Doyles novellas. So Watson representation as the everyday man provided
significance importance to Doyles popularity.
Doyles novellas are so widely acclaimed not because of not only of Holmes
himself, but because of also due to Doyle infusion of the Dr. Watson as the narrator with
the contrast between civilize and uncivilized culture. Watson role as the narrator, as well
as, his relationship with Holmes and representation as the middle class is what help
propel and aid Doyles popularity. Without out the Watson, along with coining the term
deduction, Doyles novels are not what it is today: a stimulating and fascinating novel.
the Sherlock Holmes series will not be what it is know today interesting and
fascination. Watson contribution as a middle class narrator into the life of Sherlock
Holmes has profoundly impact movie like Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows where
the opening scene illustrate Watson recounting the story of Holmes supposed death.




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Work Cited page
Conan Doyle, Arthur. The Sign of the Four. Seattle: Amazon Digital Services,
2013. Kindle eBook. Online.
Delamater, Jerome and Ruth Prigozy, eds. Theory and Practice of Classic
DetectiveFiction. New York: Praeger, 1997. Print.
Gunning, T.J. "Tracing the Individual Body: Photography, Detectives, and
Early Cinema." Cinema and the Invention of Modern Life. : , . . Print.
Mcbratney, John. "Racial And Criminal Types: Indian Ethnography And Sir
Arthur Conan Doyle's The Sign Of Four." Victorian Literature and Culture: n. page.
Print.
Panek, Leroy. An Introduction to the Detective Story. Bowling Green, OH:
Bowling Green State University Popular Press, 1987. Print.