‘But love is an emotional thing, and whatever is emotional is opposed to that true cold reason which I place above all things. I should never marry myself, lest I bias my judgement.’
With these words Sherlock Holmes comments rather derogatorily on the marriage plans of his close friend and fellow bachelor Dr. John Watson when the latter reveals his engagement to Mary Morstan to him. While Watson’s existence as a bachelor is about to end after the novel ‘The Sign of the Four’, Sherlock Holmes never had any intention to change his lifestyle from being a bachelor to become a husband and father. He never was married or engaged in any form and obviously didn’t miss it. It is due to that attitude that the character of Sherlock Holmes became one of the most famous and best known examples of the bachelor in Victorian literature. But what exactly is a bachelor and how was this term defined during the time when the Sherlock Holmes stories were written?
In this term paper I will point out how the life of unmarried men was depicted in Victorian literature and which images and stereotypes arose when it came to the term ‘bachelor’ in general. In order to do this it is essential to take a closer look at the society during the time the fictional characters of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were invented – the end of the 19th century.
Which characteristics were typical for a bachelor of that time except for being an unwed male? In order to show how the bachelors stood out and differed from their married fellows it is necessary to examine the role of Victorian men in general. Which moral values were associated with the life of a bachelor and did they differ from the generally accepted values of the time? What was their status in society?
After this quite general examination I shall take a closer look at the two bachelors invented by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Were Sherlock and Watson typical bachelors of their time? What were their reasons for being unmarried and how were their attitudes and interactions towards women? Did they simply had no luck with the ladies or were there other reasons for them to be unwed? I will try to answer these questions on the basis of the Sherlock Holmes novels ‘A Study in Scarlet’, ‘The Sign of the Four’ and the short story ‘A Scandal in Bohemia’.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Victorian Age
- The Role of Men
- The Bachelor in the Victorian Age
- Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson
- Sherlock Holmes
- Dr. John Watson
- Similarities and differences
- Interaction with women
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper examines the portrayal of unmarried men in Victorian literature, focusing on the image and stereotypes associated with the term "bachelor." It analyzes the societal role of Victorian men and compares the characteristics of fictional bachelors Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson to the prevailing societal norms. The paper aims to understand the reasons behind their unmarried status and their interactions with women.
- The societal role of men in Victorian England
- The definition and characteristics of a Victorian bachelor
- A comparative analysis of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as Victorian bachelors
- The attitudes and interactions of Holmes and Watson towards women
- The reasons for the unmarried status of Holmes and Watson
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by establishing the context of Sherlock Holmes's bachelorhood within Victorian society. It introduces the central question of how the term "bachelor" was defined and perceived during that era, highlighting Holmes's prominent position as a representative figure of this archetype in Victorian literature. The chapter lays out the paper's objectives: to explore the depiction of unmarried men in Victorian literature, focusing on prevailing stereotypes, and to conduct a detailed analysis of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as case studies within this context.
The Victorian Age: This chapter provides a broad overview of the Victorian era, highlighting its key characteristics and contradictions. It describes the era as a time of both significant progress and immense social inequality, with rapid industrialization and technological advancements coexisting with widespread poverty and exploitation, especially within the working class. The chapter emphasizes the role of men as dominant figures in Victorian society, outlining their social expectations and responsibilities within marriage and family life. The stark contrast between prosperity and poverty, and the rigid class structure, creates a vital backdrop for understanding the context of Victorian masculinity and bachelorhood.
The Role of Men: This section delves deeper into the societal expectations and responsibilities placed upon men in Victorian England. It focuses on the powerful position held by men from the middle and upper classes, emphasizing their political and economic dominance. The chapter details the expectation of men to marry within their social class, providing for their families financially, and acting as protectors and heads of household. This analysis contrasts the privileged position of men with their corresponding obligations, establishing a framework for evaluating the choices and characteristics of unmarried men in the subsequent analysis of Holmes and Watson.
Keywords
Victorian England, bachelorhood, Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Victorian masculinity, societal roles, gender roles, social class, marriage, unmarried men, Victorian literature.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Victorian Bachelors
What is the main focus of this academic paper preview?
This preview presents a term paper examining the portrayal of unmarried men in Victorian literature, specifically focusing on the image and stereotypes associated with "bachelorhood." It uses Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as case studies to analyze the societal role of Victorian men and their interactions with prevailing societal norms.
What topics are covered in the preview?
The preview includes the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It covers the Victorian Age, the role of men in Victorian society, a detailed comparison of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as Victorian bachelors, their attitudes and interactions with women, and the possible reasons for their unmarried status.
What is the significance of the Victorian Age in this analysis?
The Victorian Age serves as the crucial historical and social context. The paper explores the era's characteristics, including rapid industrialization, social inequality, and the dominant role of men in society. These factors are essential for understanding the expectations placed upon men and the implications of bachelorhood.
How are Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson used in the analysis?
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are used as comparative case studies. The paper analyzes their characteristics, comparing them to the prevailing societal norms for Victorian men. This comparison aims to shed light on the reasons behind their unmarried status and their relationships with women.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the societal role of Victorian men, the definition and characteristics of a Victorian bachelor, a comparative analysis of Holmes and Watson, their attitudes and interactions towards women, and the reasons behind their unmarried status. The paper also touches upon Victorian masculinity, gender roles, social class, and marriage.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide a concise overview of the content of each chapter in the full paper. They offer insights into the introduction, the overview of the Victorian Age, a deeper exploration of the role of men in Victorian society, and the central analysis of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.
What keywords are associated with this paper?
Keywords include Victorian England, bachelorhood, Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Victorian masculinity, societal roles, gender roles, social class, marriage, unmarried men, and Victorian literature.
What is the overall goal of this academic paper?
The paper aims to understand how unmarried men were portrayed in Victorian literature, examining the prevailing stereotypes and analyzing specific examples to uncover the societal factors and individual circumstances contributing to their unmarried status. It seeks to provide insights into Victorian society's expectations and views of bachelorhood.
- Quote paper
- Selina Schuster (Author), 2012, The Bachelor in Victorian Literature. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/233116
