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.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Detecting the Genre of Rivers of London
2.1 What is Detective Fiction?
2.2 What is Fantasy Literature?
2.3 The Genre of Rivers of London
3. Method of Detection
3.1 Armchair or Hard-Boiled Detective?
3.2 Sherlock Holmes
3.3 Peter Grant
4. Helpers and Opponents
4.1 The Sidekick
4.2 The Police Forces
4.3 The Perpetrator
5. The Magic Detective Story as Opposed to the Classic Detective Story
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper examines how the integration of magical elements in Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London modifies the traditional detective genre by comparing its protagonist, Peter Grant, with the archetype of the non-magical detective, Sherlock Holmes. The research aims to determine how the supernatural impacts procedural methods, character roles, and the overall narrative structure of the crime novel.
- The hybridization of detective fiction and fantasy literature.
- A comparative analysis of procedural methods: deduction vs. magical investigation.
- Character dynamics: The roles of the sidekick, police forces, and perpetrators.
- The influence of the urban setting (London) on the narrative.
- The transition from traditional investigative tropes to postmodern genre-blending.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 Sherlock Holmes
This chapter will start off with a close examination of Holmes' procedural methods in “A Scandal in Bohemia”. Afterwards, it will be continued with an analysis of those methods. For the latter part, A Study in Scarlet will also be taken into account as this was the first of the Holmes-stories and therefore offers a great introduction to the detective and his mannerisms. The story of “A Scandal in Bohemia” is launched by a piece of paper Holmes receives. At that precise day Watson, who is already married by that time, stops by Holmes' study on his way home. The detective hands him that piece of paper which Watson then examines. It declares that the addresser heard about Holmes' reputation, needs his help in a confidential matter and would call upon him at 7:45 pm that very same day (cf. Doyle Scandal 128). Watson then states that the paper the note is written on is quite valuable and therefore the sender must be rather wealthy. As Holmes is already one step ahead, he explains that the paper has not been manufactured in England because it has a water mark with the letters EgPG. Holmes then asserts what these letters stand for and construes from that where it actually came from, that is to say the German-speaking country of Bohemia (cf. 128).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Introduces the rise of detective and fantasy literature and states the research goal of comparing Peter Grant with Sherlock Holmes.
2. Detecting the Genre of Rivers of London: Clarifies the generic features of detective fiction and fantasy literature, arguing for the novel's hybrid status.
3. Method of Detection: Outlines procedural differences, contrasting Holmes’ deductive/scientific approach with Grant’s reliance on both police procedure and magic.
4. Helpers and Opponents: Analyzes the roles of sidekicks, police, and perpetrators in both narratives, highlighting the shift toward supernatural threats.
5. The Magic Detective Story as Opposed to the Classic Detective Story: Synthesizes the findings, showing how the supernatural alters the detective’s world, methods, and investigative goals.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes that Rivers of London is a hybrid novel where magic and reality coexist, reinterpreting the classic detective structure.
Key Words
Detective Fiction, Fantasy Literature, Hybridity, Sherlock Holmes, Peter Grant, Police Procedural, Supernatural, Deduction, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Procedural Methods, Character Constellation, Crime Novel, Literary Genre, Postmodernism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic work?
The work primarily investigates how the inclusion of supernatural and magical elements in Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London alters the traditional structures of detective fiction.
Which literary genres are analyzed in the book?
The study focuses on the intersection of detective fiction, specifically the police procedural and classic mystery, and fantasy literature, with an emphasis on urban fantasy.
What is the primary research question?
The paper explores how Peter Grant, as a magic-using detective, differentiates himself from the non-magical archetype of Sherlock Holmes, and how the narrative environment is modified by the supernatural.
What scientific or academic methods are employed?
The author uses a comparative literary analysis, tracing procedural methods, examining character archetypes, and applying genre theory to determine the nature of the "magic detective story."
What topics does the main body cover?
The main body provides a genre analysis, a study of investigative methods, an evaluation of recurring character types like the sidekick and perpetrator, and a final synthesis of the magic versus classic detective story.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Core keywords include detective fiction, fantasy literature, hybridity, Sherlock Holmes, Peter Grant, and supernatural elements.
How does the author define the "magic detective" compared to the "classic detective"?
The classic detective, like Holmes, relies on pure logic and deduction within a rational world, whereas the magic detective, like Grant, must navigate the tension between scientific police procedure and the irrational reality of magic.
What role does the setting of London play in the comparison?
London acts as a bridge between the realistic and the magical, with the author mapping the city to maintain a connection to reality while embedding supernatural occurrences within the urban landscape.
Why is the role of the sidekick considered different in Rivers of London?
Unlike Watson, who serves as a foil and a mediator for the reader to admire Holmes' genius, Lesley May is portrayed as an equal professional, emphasizing teamwork over the singular brilliance of the detective.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Katharina Lurz (Autor:in), 2014, The Magic Detective. Peter Grant ("Rivers of London") as Opposed to Sherlock Holmes ("A Scandal in Bohemia"), München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/432056
