This term paper compares Arthur Conan Doyle´s first Sherlock Holmes book "A Study in Scarlet" with the first episode of BBC´s TV series Sherlock, which is called "A Study in Pink". The comparison focuses especially on the representation of London as well as on the relationship between the detective and the city. Among other things, it analyses the methods through which Sherlock Holmes expands his knowledge of London. The paper uses Jurij Lotman´s well-known theory of boundary crossing for part of the analysis.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. London in A Study in Scarlet vs. London in "A Study in Pink"
2.1. The Introduction of London
2.2. London as a City of Crime and Justice
3. Mastering the City
3.1. The Theory of Boundary Crossing
3.2. Mastering the City on the Geographical Level
3.2.1. The Closed Space vs. The Open Space
3.2.2. "It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of London"
3.2.3. Boundary Crossing in Reverse
3.3. Mastering the City on the Social Level
3.4. Mastering the City on the Mental Level
3.5. Limitations
4. Holmes' Relationship to the City
5. Conclusion
Objectives & Research Focus
This paper examines the essential role of London in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original Sherlock Holmes stories compared to the modern BBC series Sherlock. It investigates how the protagonist navigates and masters the city across geographical, social, and mental levels, applying Jurij Lotman's "Theory of Boundary Crossing" to define the complex, symbiotic relationship between the detective and his urban environment.
- Comparison of Victorian vs. modern depictions of London.
- Analysis of boundary crossing as a methodology for mastery.
- Evaluation of London as more than a static background setting.
- Exploration of the co-dependent, symbiotic relationship between detective and city.
- Critique of Holmes' omniscience and the limitations within the narrative structure.
Excerpt from the Book
Mastering the City on the Geographical Level
As the hero-agent of his adventures, Holmes often leaves the domestic space of 221B Baker Street to visit the rest of London. These subspaces of London can be categorized as the binary pair of the closed space and the open space. 221B Baker Street as the closed space is “endowed with [the] features: "kinship," "warmth," "security," and so on. It stands in opposition to open-ended, "outer" space and its features: "strangeness," "enmity, "cold,", and so on.” When one thinks of the strange and puzzling crime scenes that Holmes encounters all over London and compares it to the domestic atmosphere in 221B Baker Street, which is caused by the interior as well as the warmth of Mrs. Hudson, it is certainly appropriate to apply those terms here.
221B Baker Street is important because it is usually the space in which the story starts and ends. It is also where Holmes usually learns of a new case, either from the police or a client. Furthermore, it is often there that important revelations and deductions are made or explained, i.e. where thoughts are connected and cases are solved on the mental level. The physical aspect of solving a case though, happens within the streets of London after a cab – in Victorian London a hansom cab, in modern London a taxi – takes the detective and his companion to “an empty house or perhaps [to] Waterloo Station. Only then d[oes] the real adventure begin, far away from the Baker Street flat with its comforting atmosphere of smoke from the master's pipe.”
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: Introduces the scope of the study, comparing Doyle's original stories with the modern BBC adaptation and outlining the application of Lotman's theory.
2. London in A Study in Scarlet vs. London in "A Study in Pink": Compares the initial portrayals of London in both mediums, highlighting the shift from "cesspool" to a more accessible modern city.
3. Mastering the City: Details the theoretical framework and analyzes how Holmes dominates London geographically, socially, and mentally, while acknowledging inherent limitations.
4. Holmes' Relationship to the City: Discusses the co-dependent, symbiotic connection between Holmes and London, suggesting the city acts as a vital counterpart to the detective's personality.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes that London functions as a living character, essential to Holmes' identity and success, which remains a consistent theme despite temporal shifts.
Keywords
Sherlock Holmes, London, A Study in Scarlet, A Study in Pink, Jurij Lotman, Boundary Crossing, Urban Mastery, Symbiosis, Detective Fiction, Adaptation, Geography, Social Class, Mental Deduction, Victorian Era, Modernity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research explores the intricate, symbiotic relationship between Sherlock Holmes and the city of London, analyzing how the city is not merely a setting but a dynamic character in both the original works and the BBC series.
Which specific Sherlock Holmes works are compared?
The study primarily compares the first narrative in the canon, "A Study in Scarlet," with the pilot episode of the BBC series "Sherlock," titled "A Study in Pink."
What is the core theory applied in this paper?
The paper utilizes Jurij Lotman’s "Theory of Boundary Crossing," which explores how the movement between different subspaces (geographical, social, and mental) enables the protagonist to master his environment.
Does the author consider London a static background?
No, the author argues that London is an active, influential entity that provides the "strangeness" and challenges necessary to keep Holmes from succumbing to boredom and insanity.
What methodology is used to interpret the texts?
A comparative analysis is employed to contrast literary and visual media, examining narrative changes and the depiction of crime and justice in both Victorian and modern contexts.
Which key elements characterize the "mastery of the city"?
Mastery is achieved through three dimensions: geographical navigation, utilization of social networks and disguises, and the application of mental deductions to solve complex puzzles.
How does the representation of crime differ between the two stories?
While "A Study in Scarlet" presents London with a nuanced dichotomy of hell and heaven/justice, "A Study in Pink" uses familiar tourist landmarks to modernize the setting while still identifying it as a place of crime.
What role does the "closed space" of 221B Baker Street play?
The closed space acts as a base of security and domesticity, which stands in direct contrast to the dangerous "open space" of the city that Holmes must enter to solve mysteries.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Silvia Schilling (Autor:in), 2015, Sherlock Holmes and the City. From "A Study in Scarlet" to "A Study in Pink", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/450246
