This paper foremost deals with the question in which ways the magic detective Peter Grant is differentiated from the non-magic detective, that is to say Sherlock Holmes, and in which ways the world of the protagonist is modified by the supernatural. Representatives for the two different approaches will be "A Scandal in Bohemia" (first published in 1891) as well as "A Study in Scarlet" (first published in 1887) by Arthur Conan Doyle and Ben Aaronovitch's "Rivers of London". Even though there are many iconic detectives that could have served the purpose, Sherlock Holmes was chosen as he is something like a patron saint of detective fiction. Priestman states on that matter that “Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes is the supreme 'character' of nineteenth-century detective fiction” (Detective Fiction 74). “A Scandal in Bohemia” was chosen here as it features a female culprit and it will be interesting to set the female role as presented in the short story against the one in the more recent novel by Aaronovitch. However, when referring to Sherlock Holmes, "A Study in Scarlet" will also be accounted for as this is the story where Watson first meets the legendary sleuth and thus the reader is described a lot of mannerisms of his through the eyes of the narrator. Peter Grant's story was selected as there is barely another novel at the time which features the supernatural next to the criminal in such a striking pattern. This assumption was made due to the fact that Peter Grant is a wizard and a police constable at the same time. Therefore it will be interesting to explore how this fact influences him and the world he lives in and also the distinction between the Victorian and the postmodern approach.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Detecting the Genre of Rivers of London
- What is Detective Fiction?
- What is Fantasy Literature?
- The Genre of Rivers of London
- Method of Detection
- Armchair or Hard-Boiled Detective?
- Sherlock Holmes
- Peter Grant
- Helpers and Opponents
- The Sidekick
- The Police Forces
- The Perpetrator
- The Magic Detective Story as Opposed to the Classic Detective Story
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore the unique characteristics of a "magic detective" in Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London, comparing him to the archetypal detective, Sherlock Holmes. The focus is on how the supernatural influences the detective's methods, world, and interactions with others.
- The intersection of detective fiction and fantasy literature in Rivers of London
- The contrasting methods of detection employed by Peter Grant and Sherlock Holmes
- The influence of magic on Peter Grant's world, including his relationships, environment, and perception
- The role of helpers and opponents in both classic and magic detective stories
- The comparison of narrative elements in classic and magic detective fiction
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The paper begins by examining the genre of Rivers of London, outlining the characteristics of both detective fiction and fantasy literature. It then delves into the contrasting approaches of the two detectives, Peter Grant and Sherlock Holmes, focusing on their methods of investigation and the influence of magic on Grant's world. The paper explores how the supernatural element affects the interactions between the detectives, their sidekicks, the police forces, and the perpetrators involved in the mysteries.
The paper concludes with a comparison of the magic detective story to the classic detective story, exploring the unique aspects of each genre in terms of setting, plot, and character development. The paper provides insight into the interplay of these two genres in Rivers of London, showcasing how magic adds a unique dimension to the classic detective story.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper focuses on the intersection of detective fiction and fantasy literature, specifically exploring the unique characteristics of the "magic detective" in Rivers of London. The analysis focuses on the protagonist, Peter Grant, his methods of investigation, and the influence of magic on his world. This includes examining the role of helpers and opponents in the narrative, comparing them to classic detective stories, and analyzing the impact of magic on setting, plot, and character development.
- Quote paper
- Katharina Lurz (Author), 2014, The Magic Detective. Peter Grant ("Rivers of London") as Opposed to Sherlock Holmes ("A Scandal in Bohemia"), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/432056
