The Speckled Detective a Study of the Many Facets of Race and Gender in Select Sherlock Holmes Stories

Abstract

There is no tool to evaluate any literary work. The value of a piece of writing is based on how the readers perceive the piece of writing. The value of a literary work is also weighed by the association formed there of between the readers and the author.Popular Literature and the genre Detective fiction, in particular, was never seen as a subject for academic research. Detective Fiction was considered lower in value as compared to other genres. Detective Fiction was not considered fit for academic study, despite the fact that it was enjoying immense popularity. In fact, Arthur Conan Doyle who is a subject of this thesis always valued his historical works more highly than his works in the Detective Fiction subgenre. Detective Fiction was usually ignored from the literary canon till the 1960s. This notion, however started changing in the 1960s, and various scholars and researchers thereafter have researched various Detective fiction stories. After the 1960s the barriers between high and low in the literary canon started vanishing and likewise Detective Fiction was considered worthy of a closer analysis. Thereafter, Detective Fiction subgenre has enjoyed immense popularity among the masses as well as among the critics. Till this day, this genre remains one of the most popular ones among the readers and various books in this genre have become all time greats, best sellers and are one of the most sort after books. Various books in this genre, characters in this genre and the authors who write books on this genre have been subjects of research and studies by various critics. This thesis is a result of research and study on one of the most famous characters in the Detective Fiction subgenre, Sherlock Holmes and its creator, Arthur Conan Doyle. This thesis will focus on racial, gender, and historical interpretations of various Sherlock Holmes stories. Emphasis has been given on certain central fictional characters such as Sherlock Holmes, and Dr Watson, the author Arthur Conan Doyle, and his background. The Central