Sherlockian Reading

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As Sherlockian Reading referred to a special reading-practice stories of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle , which is used primarily for intellectual conversation and starts from the premise that it is in the records of Dr. Watson is about factual reports written by himself.

General

The beginning of the Sherlockian Reading marked a satirical speech given in 1911 at the Gryphon Club in Oxford by Ronald Knox , which later appeared in his essays in Satire (1928) under the title "Studies in the Literature of Sherlock Holmes". It was continued by Christopher Morley , who also laid down rules for reading. Morley's first rule fixes the reading for entertainment. The second rule concerns the factuality of all Sherlock Holmes stories. The third rule concerns the status of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This is either tacitly ignored or as editor or literary agent Dr. Watsons considered. Morley's rules are mainly used in the publications of the Sherlock Holmes Societies. Text editions, commentaries, biographies ( William S. Baring-Gould ), encyclopedias, atlases and other aids have been created on this basis. Through the negation of the fictional character and the denial of Conan Doyle's authorship, the Sherlockian Reading differs from a literary interpretation, which does not mean, however, that his sometimes thorough textual analyzes lack any cognitive value.

Ronald Knox

In his satirical "Studies in the Literature of Sherlock Holmes" Ronald Knox sets out a number of problems which later (Sherlockian) readings should be oriented towards. The most important are the following:

  • Using Holmes' own method in analyzing and interpreting his stories.
  • Notes on the usefulness of the stories in criminology .
  • Comparisons of Sherlock Holmes stories with canonical works of ancient literature ( platonic dialogues , ancient tragedy , ancient historiography ), the Bible, and the crime fiction of Edgar Allan Poe , Émile Gaboriau , Wilkie Collins and Chesterton .
  • The special role of the narrator Dr. Watson for researching the Holmes stories: "Any studies in Sherlock Holmes must be, first and foremost, studies in Dr. Watson."
  • The question of the authenticity (genuineness) of the stories and the discussion of their contradictions:
- Inconsistent information on Watson's first names: John or James. Is there a Deutero Watson?
- University Problems: The Length of Sherlock Holmes Academic Years; the dog on college grounds; did Holmes study at Oxford or Cambridge?
- Problems connecting the first stories with those about Holmes' return.
- Discrepancies in character characterization of Sherlock Holmes.
- The problem of Professor Moriarty's first name : Why is he called 'James' like his brother of the same name?
- The color of the dressing gown.
- Dr. Watson's breakfast time.
  • Knox also provides initial reflections on the chronology and the dating problem of the Holmes stories. His result is (for the use of the abbreviations see the article Sherlock Holmes):
In a fixed order: (1) GLOR, (2) MUSG, (3) STUD, (4) SPEC 1883, (5) REIG April 1887, (6) FIVE 1887, (7) SIGN 1888, (8) NOBL 1888 ( 9) CROO, (10) SCAN, (11) NAVA
In unclear order: (12) STOC 1888, (13) IDEN 1888, (14) REDH 1888 - (14) Hound 1889, (16) TWIS June 1889, (17) ENGI Summer 1889, (18) BLUE Christmas, (19 ) FINA 1891.
Undated: SILV, YELL, RESI, GREE, BREY, COPP, BOSC
  • He undertakes a first structural analysis of the stories:
i Prooimion : The beginning with a Baker Street scene and an exposure of Sherlock Holmes' special skills.
ii Exegesis kata ton diokonta : The presentation of the problem by the client.
iii Ichneusis : personal investigations of the case by the detective.
iv Anaskeue : The Refutation of Scotlands Yard's Views.
v The first promenusis (exoterike) : Holmes gives the police first clues about the solution that they do not understand.
vi The second promenusis (esoteric) : opening a hypothetical solution to Dr. Watson.
vii Exetasis : Further investigations, interrogations, research, disguises and others.
viii Anagnorisis : discovery and, if necessary, arrest of the criminal.
ix Exegesis kata ton pheugonta : The confession of the delinquent.
x Metamenusis : Presentation of the chain of evidence and investigation of the case.
xi Epilogue : Summary sentence or quotation from a well-known author that ends the story.
  • He discusses the detective's relationship with Scotland Yard; Comparison of the detectives with the Platonic sophists.
  • He explains the relationship between Holmes and Dr. Watson; Comparison of Dr. Watson with the ancient choir.
  • It deals with problems of Sherlock Holmes' fictional biography, his intellectual and social self-image (e.g. his taste for theatrical arrangements and epigrams) as well as his characterization (e.g. the pipe).
  • Finally, there are reflections on Holmes' method: It is neither pure deduction nor pure induction. Holmes occasionally confuses observation with inference, but distinguishes between observation a posteriori and deduction a priori .

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