The Detective Story Genre: Arthur Conan Doyles Sherlock Holmes Storie

The Detective Story Genre: Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes Stories One of the most popular literary forms is the detective genre. The most remarkable detective author of all time is the late nineteenth century writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. His most prominent works are the famous Sherlock Holmes stories. These novels and short stories set the standard for the genre. Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories can be considered a model for detective fiction because each is centered on a mystery, Sherlock is a brilliant detective, and clues are a prerequisite for success. The very essence of any detective story is the mystery. Unlike murder mysteries, which have a lot in common with detective stories, Holmes's problems are not invariably as severe as homicide. These mysteries are not usually insignificant though, and "Often they have to do with theft or murder" (Adventures). The first mystery may be an important and confusing conundrum, but there is often a more worthy case that presents itself after the first has commenced. This adds a level of intrigue to the tale because "The first story leads towards dissolution, the second towards restoring order" (Horsley). In each adventure, someone has been or is in danger of being wronged by another person, and comes to Sherlock for help. This creates "A clear and unambiguous triangle of characters - the investigator, the victim, and the transgressor" (Horsley). All of this is incorporated into the author's puzzle. Something important and immoral is done in every detective story. Whether the detective is clearing a client of blame or prosecuting someone, he is always on the right side, and working against the wrong. The detective may not always complete his j... ...1 Feb. 2003. http://web12.epnet.com/ Horsley, Lee "Sherlock Holmes - Modernist Thought, Modernist _____Cities, and the Solving Intellect." 31 Mar. 03 _____http://www.crimeculture.com/359/Holmes.htm "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes." Magill on Literature. EBSCO _____Publishing. 21 Feb. 2003. http://web12.epnet.com/ "Arthur Conan Doyle." Magill on Literature. EBSCO Publishing. 21 _____Feb. 2003. http://web12.epnet.com/ Jenson, Jens Byskov "The Man Sherlock Holmes." 23 Feb. 2003. _____http://sherlock-holmes.hypermart.net/sherlock.html Leadbetter, Claire "Why Were Sherlock Holmes Stories So Popular?" 31 _____Mar. 03 _____http://www.geocities.com/athens/acropolis/8950/holmes/shpaper.htm "The Greek Interpreter." Magill on Literature. EBSCO Publishing. 21 _____Feb. 2003. http://web12.epnet.com/