This text examines similarities and differences of the figures of Sherlock Holmes as he appears in the novels by Arthur Conan Doyle and in their BBC television adaptation "Sherlock".
Plaid hat, pipe in the mouth and a magnifying glass in hand – this is today’s image of the master-detective Sherlock Holmes. To be honest, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Holmes has never disappeared from our lives. And then there is the TV-channel BBC, which brought the hero into the televisions of twenty-first-century. Is this possible?
Is the probably most famous crime character from the Victorian age survivable in London now? Work the legendary stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle today, too? Has Sherlock the instinct for the current high-tech-criminology? I like to answer these questions in the following elaboration.
First there will be a summary of Doyle’s books and then a presentation of some TV-episodes will be given. At the end a comparison will bring the juxtaposition. Enjoy the track down for a historical hero in the modern civilisation!
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Summary of the stories by Doyle
- 3. The BBC-series
- Different episodes with their connection to the literal original
- A study in pink
- The Blind Banker
- The Great Game
- A Scandal in Belgravia
- The Hounds of Baskerville
- The Reichenbach Fall
- Behind the scenes - the leads
- 4. Comparison of the book and the TV-series
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This work aims to explore the adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories into the modern context of the BBC television series. It investigates how successfully the Victorian-era detective is translated to a 21st-century setting and examines the parallels and divergences between the original stories and their television counterparts.
- Adaptation of Sherlock Holmes to a modern setting
- Comparison of characterization and plotlines across different media
- Analysis of thematic consistency and changes across adaptations
- Exploration of the evolution of the Sherlock Holmes mythos
- Examination of the use of technology in crime-solving in both the original stories and the TV series
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis by establishing the enduring popularity of Sherlock Holmes and posing questions about the character's adaptability to modern times. It outlines the structure of the work, promising a summary of Doyle's stories, a presentation of selected BBC episodes, and a concluding comparison. The chapter's objective is to pique the reader's interest and clearly define the scope of the subsequent analysis.
2. Summary of the stories by Doyle: This chapter provides a concise overview of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. It highlights the creation of the character in 1887, the total number of short stories and novels, and the initial publication in 1892. The chapter delves into the inspiration behind Holmes' character, emphasizing the influence of Joseph Bell and the reflection of 19th-century scientific enthusiasm in Holmes' deductive methods. It also introduces Dr. Watson's role as narrator and the clever narrative technique of using Watson's questions to prompt Holmes' explanations, thereby engaging the reader directly. The chapter emphasizes the dynamics of the Holmes-Watson partnership and their contrasting personalities.
3. The BBC-series: This chapter analyzes specific episodes of the BBC Sherlock series, focusing on their connection to the original Doyle stories. It examines "A Study in Pink," comparing its plot to "A Study in Scarlet," highlighting similarities and differences in character development, particularly focusing on the handling of Watson's war wounds and the "RACHE" clue. The analysis extends to "The Blind Banker," examining its adaptation of elements from "The Adventures of the Dancing Men" and "The Valley of Fear," particularly the central theme of a complex code. The chapter also briefly discusses "The Great Game" and its parallels with "The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual" and "A Scandal in Bohemia," highlighting the incorporation of modern technology into the narrative and the exploration of Sherlock's personal life.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, BBC series, adaptation, modern setting, Victorian era, detective fiction, crime-solving, deduction, technology, character comparison, plot analysis, thematic consistency, literary analysis, media adaptation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of Sherlock Holmes Adaptations
What is the main topic of this academic work?
This academic work comprehensively analyzes the adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories into the modern context of the BBC television series. It compares and contrasts the original Victorian-era stories with their 21st-century counterparts, examining similarities and differences in characterization, plotlines, themes, and the use of technology in crime-solving.
What are the key themes explored in this analysis?
The key themes include the successful adaptation of Sherlock Holmes to a modern setting, a comparison of characterization and plotlines across different media (books and TV series), an analysis of thematic consistency and changes across adaptations, an exploration of the evolution of the Sherlock Holmes mythos, and an examination of the use of technology in crime-solving in both the original stories and the TV series.
What aspects of the BBC Sherlock series are analyzed?
The analysis focuses on specific episodes of the BBC Sherlock series, including "A Study in Pink," "The Blind Banker," "The Great Game," "A Scandal in Belgravia," "The Hounds of Baskerville," and "The Reichenbach Fall." The analysis examines each episode's connection to the original Doyle stories, highlighting similarities and differences in plot, character development, and the incorporation of modern technology.
How does the analysis compare the original stories to the BBC series?
The analysis compares and contrasts the original Doyle stories and the BBC series by examining characterization, plotlines, thematic consistency, and the use of technology. It highlights parallels and divergences between the Victorian-era setting and the modern setting of the BBC series. Specific examples from both the original stories and the selected BBC episodes are used to illustrate the points.
What is included in the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide an overview of each chapter's content. The introduction establishes the context and scope of the analysis. A summary of Doyle's stories explores the creation of Holmes and his methods. The section on the BBC series details the analysis of specific episodes and their relation to the original works.
What is the purpose of this work?
The aim is to explore the successful translation of a Victorian-era detective to a 21st-century setting, providing a detailed comparison and analysis of the adaptations while also examining the enduring popularity and adaptability of Sherlock Holmes across different media and time periods.
What keywords best describe the content of this academic work?
Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, BBC series, adaptation, modern setting, Victorian era, detective fiction, crime-solving, deduction, technology, character comparison, plot analysis, thematic consistency, literary analysis, media adaptation.
What is the structure of the work?
The work is structured in a logical and easy-to-follow manner, beginning with an introduction, followed by a summary of Doyle's original stories, a detailed analysis of select BBC Sherlock episodes, and concluding with a comparative analysis of both sources. This structure allows for a comprehensive understanding of the adaptations.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Pia Klaus (Autor:in), 2016, Sherlock Holmes in the novels by Arthur Conan Doyle and his modern adaption in the BBC TV-series “Sherlock“, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/319227
