SHERLOCK HOLMES DOYLE DETECTIVE GENRE v To explore
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SHERLOCK HOLMES DOYLE & DETECTIVE GENRE v To explore Arthur Conan Doyle’s life and inspiration v To understand the detective genre and its influence on Victorian London
Arthur Conan Doyle v Arthur Conan Doyle (born 22 May, 1859 in Edinburgh) was part of a prosperous Irish family. He trained as a doctor, gaining his degree from Edinburgh University. He worked as a surgeon on a whaling boat and also as a medical officer on a steamer travelling between Liverpool and West Africa. v He then settled in Portsmouth on the English south coast and divided his time between medicine and writing. v Sherlock Holmes made his first appearance in 'A Study of Scarlet', published in 'Beeton's Christmas Annual' in 1887. Its success encouraged Conan Doyle to write more stories involving Holmes but, in 1893, Conan Doyle killed off Holmes, hoping to concentrate on more serious writing. A public outcry later made him bring Holmes back to life.
Arthur Conan Doyle v Conan Doyle also wrote a number of other novels, including 'The Lost World' and various non-fictional works. These included a pamphlet justifying Britain's involvement in the Boer War, for which he was knighted, and histories of the Boer War and World War One, in which his son, brother and two of his nephews were killed. v Conan Doyle also twice ran unsuccessfully for parliament. In later life he became very interested in spiritualism and the supernatural. v Conan Doyle died of a heart attack on 7 July, 1930.
Inspiration behind Sherlock Read over the handout on the inspiration behind the character of Sherlock Holmes, and highlight the answers to the following questions: 1. What frustrated Doyle about detective stories? 2. What was special about Dr. Joseph Bell? 3. How was Sherlock similar to Dr. Bell? 4. What was Doyle’s concern with magazines? 5. What was the reaction to Sherlock’s death?
Detective Stories C. Hugh Holman’s A Handbook to Literature defines a detective story as “a novel or short story in which a crime, usually a murder – the identity of the perpetrator unknown – is solved by a detective through a logical assembling and interpretation of palpable evidence, known as clues. ”
“Rules” of Detective Stories 1. The crime must be significant. 2. The detective must be memorable. 3. The criminal must be a worthy opponent. 4. The clues must be made available to the reader. 5. The suspects must appear early in the story. 6. The solution must be reasonable and possible.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes In groups, read over the summaries for the following Sherlock Holmes short stories: 1. 2. 3. 4. The The Red-Headed League Five Orange Pips Man with the Twisted Lip Engineer’s Thumb Identify how each story follows the “rules” of detective stories: Ø How is the crime significant? Ø How is the criminal a worthy opponent? Ø How are the clues made available to the reader? Ø Do the suspects appear early in the story? Ø Is the solution reasonable and possible?
Victorian News Design a newspaper article detailing the crime and capture of the criminal that was described in the short story you were given. Your article should include: § A catchy title (consider using emotive language & alliteration) § A description of the crime (using the 5 W’s – who, what, where, when, and why) § A description of the capture § A section praising Sherlock Holmes’ success A template of a Victorian newspaper is available on Student Resources English Sherlock Holmes SAVE TEMPLATE IN YOUR DOCUMENTS FIRST!
