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Sherlock Holmes
Includes questions about this famous FICTIONAL detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Questions about Sherlock Holmes movies (which mostly ask about the actors rather than the stories) should be placed under "Movies."
1,260 Questions
What did readers think of the Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle?
Readers generally loved the Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle for their clever plots, intriguing mysteries, and the brilliant character of Sherlock Holmes himself. The stories were praised for their wit, intelligence, and the way they kept readers engaged and guessing until the very end. The series has become a classic in detective fiction and continues to be popular with readers around the world.
Holmes observed that the clay on the assistant's knees and the specific pattern of wear on the right side of his trousers indicated that he had been kneeling in a confined space while using a small pickaxe — both classic signs of tunnel digging.
What purpose does Christopher's long discourse on the Hound Of the Baskervilles serve?
Christopher's long discourse on "The Hound of the Baskervilles" in "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" serves to highlight his affinity for detective stories and logical reasoning. It showcases his intelligence, attention to detail, and ability to analyze complex narratives. Additionally, it serves as a coping mechanism for Christopher to navigate the challenges he faces in his own life.
From whose point of view are the Sherlock Holmes stories told?
The Sherlock Holmes stories are typically told from the point of view of Dr. John Watson, who is Sherlock Holmes's close friend and companion. Watson serves as the narrator of the stories and provides the readers with insights into Holmes's deductive reasoning and investigative methods.
What did Holmes find on the street in the red headed league?
I assume you are referring to Fleet Street, but I'm not sure what answer you are looking for.
Holmes found at least three things at Fleet Street.
He found:
- Jabez Wilson's pawn shop
- The villain, John Clay (aka Spaulding)
- A hollow under the street
Please note there was NOT a hollow underneath the street in FRONT of the pawn shop.
"I surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. It was not in front." -- Sherlock Holmes, 'The Red-Headed League'
Where can Sherlock Holmes books be read online?
Agatha Christie's works are still copyrighted, so they are not yet available in the public domain. This means that they cannot be read for free online legally. However, they can be purchased in e-book form. See the related link and questions below.
Why is Wilson interested in becoming a member of the red headed league?
Wilson is interested in becoming a member of the Red-Headed League because of the attractive salary offered for minimal work. He sees it as an opportunity to earn extra income without much effort, and he is enticed by the promise of easy money.
Who are the characters in The Red-Headed League?
The main characters in "The Red-Headed League" by Arthur Conan Doyle are Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson, and Jabez Wilson, the client who seeks Holmes's help to investigate the peculiar league. Other minor characters include Mr. Merryweather and Vincent Spaulding.
Why did clay and Holmes show each other respect in the story red-headed league?
In the story "The Red-Headed League" by Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson show respect for each other because they are close friends and colleagues who appreciate each other's intelligence, skills, and professionalism. Holmes values Watson's companionship and assistance in his cases, while Watson admires Holmes' brilliant deductive reasoning and keen observation skills. Their mutual respect strengthens their partnership and enhances their ability to solve mysteries together.
Are Sherlock Holmes and Watson blood relatives?
No, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson are not blood relatives. They are close friends and colleagues who share a strong bond through their work as detective partners in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories.
What is the purpose of The Red Headed League?
Plot Summary
Dr. Watson drops in on his friend Sherlock Holmes to find him in conversation with a man with fiery red hair, a Mr. Jabez Wilson. Wilson has come to Holmes with a problem concerning an organization for which he was working but that has mysteriously disappeared. Wilson owns a pawnshop but had for the last few months been employed part-time. At Holmes' urging, he tells his story.
Wilson's assistant Vincent Spaulding had pointed out to Wilson a job notice in the newspaper. It was a job sponsored by the Red-Headed League, and only men with red hair need apply. Spaulding convinced Wilson to go to the interview, and because of the bright color of his hair, Wilson was hired. His job was to copy the Encyclopaedia Britannica from 10 A.M. until 2 P.M. He was not to leave the room at all, or he would lose his job. Wilson enjoyed the extra money he made but one Saturday, when he showed up at work, he saw a sign that said the League was dissolved. Wilson set out to discover what had happened to the League, and his well-paying job, but could learn nothing. Spaulding advised that he wait until the League got in touch with him, but Wilson came to seek the advice of Sherlock Holmes.
Holmes asks a few questions about Spaulding, finding out that he has been with Wilson for only a short time, that he works for half the wages of anyone else, that he develops photographs in the pawnshop's cellar, and that he has a mark upon his forehead. Holmes gets excited at the last bit of information, and it seems that he recognizes Spaulding. Holmes then sends Wilson home, saying he will give him advice in a few days. After reflecting for an hour, Holmes, accompanied by Watson, goes to the square in which Wilson's shop is located. Holmes examines the neighborhood, thumps upon the pavement in front of the shop with his walking-stick, and then knocks on the door. A young man, presumably Spaulding, answers, and Holmes asks directions of him. However, he is most interested in observing the knees of the shop assistant's trousers; he sees there what he had expected to see. The two men then walk around the block to see what shops are behind Wilson's shop. There is a tobacco store, a newspaper store, a restaurant, a carriage-depot, and the City and Suburban Bank.
The two men attend a concert that afternoon. Afterwards, Holmes tells Watson that a serious crime is about to be committed and that he needs Watson's help that evening. Watson returns to Holmes' residence at ten that evening, where police agent Peter Jones, of the Scotland Yard, and Mr. Merryweather, of the City and Suburban Bank, are already gathered. Holmes explains that they are going to meet the master criminal John Clay this evening. The men take carriages to the bank and wait in the vault. Merryweather realizes that Clay is about to attempt to steal a large reserve of gold. The four men then quiet down and wait.
After more than an hour, one of the stones on the floor begins to move. John Clay emerges through the hole in the floor. He pulls his partner, a man with fiery red hair, up after him. Holmes springs out from his hiding place and uses his hunting crop to knock the gun out of Clay's hand. The accomplice has dashed back through the hole, but Holmes had warned Jones to put guards in front of Wilson's shop, where the tunnel leads. Jones leads Clay outside to take him to the police station.
In the early hours of the morning, Holmes explains to Watson how he solved the crime. He realized immediately that Wilson's job copying the encyclopedia was simply a ruse to get him out of the pawnshop for several hours a day. Holmes figured that Spaulding, who spent so much time in the pawnshop's cellar, was digging a tunnel leading to a nearby building. By thumping his walking-stick on the pavement, Holmes determined the tunnel stretched behind the house, so he walked around the block to see what businesses were there. When he saw a bank, the tunnel's destination was obvious. Holmes also looked at the knees of Spaulding's trousers to see that they were worn and stained from hours of digging out a tunnel. He knew Spaulding would rob the bank that evening, Saturday, because he would thus have an extra day before the robbery would be discovered and he could make his escape. After solving the problem mentally, Holmes called Jones and Merryweather to help catch the thieves.
Watson openly admires Holmes, but Holmes merely says that solving the case saved him from boredom, a boredom which is already beginning to settle on him again. He says that his life is simply an attempt to "escape from the commonplaces of existence." Watson points out that he helps people as well. Holmes agrees, noting that man himself is nothing, but that his work is everything.
Show the character sketch of Sherlock Holmes in The Speckled Band?
In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's story "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," Helen Stoner's twin sister, Julia, dies from an unknown cause shortly before being married. Helen, also engaged to be married, worries about her own safety and takes her case to Sherlock Holmes. Using his powers of observation, intelligence, and perseverance, Holmes races to find the murderer.
Out of Sherlock Holmes' many talents, observation is the most influential to each of his cases. Helen stares in astonishment as Holmes correctly states that the mud on her jacket sleeve came from riding in a dogcart. Then, upon examining Helen's bedroom, he is the first to realize the wire to the call bell is a fake. Without this important skill, neither Sherlock Holmes nor his crime-solving would be the same.
In each of Sherlock Holmes' adventures one thing is proven: no matter how many dead-ends he happens to bumps into, Holmes will never give up. His dedication perseverance when doing something he loves shines throughout each story; he is even willing to get right down on the ground in search of clues. Even a late night excursion to Stoke Moran is not too much for Holmes.As long as he has his faithful associate, Watson, to keep him company no case is ever abandoned.
Holmes' mixture of talents would not be complete without his extreme intelligence. Using logical reasoning, he successfully deduces that Dr. Roylott, Helen and Julia's step-father, killed Julia in order to keep the inheritance saved for her. Holmes even has an explanation for the bell wire connected to the ventilator. Roylott uses it as a bridge for his swamp adder to get into the neighboring bedroom, hoping that it will eventually bite Helen. Holmes always puts each piece of the puzzle in its proper place.
This case ends happily for Helen, who lives on to be married. It does not, however, end on the same note for Dr. Roylott. The antagonist ultimately gets what he deserves. As for Sherlock Holmes, neither poisonous snakes nor wild baboons will ever keep him off a case.
What was The Adventure of the Speckled Band?
The Adventure of the Speckled Band is a Sherlock Holmes story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes is consulted by a young woman whose sister has recently died under strange circumstances in a locked room. Her dying words are "It was the band! The speckled band!"
What is most famous case solved by Sherlock Holmes?
The Hound of the Baskervilles
A Study in Scarlet
The Sign of Four
The Case of the Giant Rat of Sumatra, the details of which the world is not yet prepared to learn.
Against what historical background were the adventures of Sherlock Holmes written?
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes was written during the backdrop of Victorian England. Most of the historical background of what was occurring in the area was based on what was really happening. The level of technology and the historical events was fairly accurate. Even the events of Dr. Watson's military service were on point in the era.
It appears to have been published in various coloured covers, 239 pages, with three Sherlock Holmes Stories (The Sign of Four, A Scandal in Bohemia, and A Case of Identity):
C2097. Sherlock Holmes Detective Stories. New York: J.H. Sears & Co., [n.d.]. iii, 239 p. Deep blue cloth with repetitive diamond shaped design and letters in gilt on cover and spine; flambeau intertwined with flowering vine on endpapers. Contents: Sign. -- Scan. -- The Ring of Thoth. -- Iden. -- The Surgeon of Gaster Fell.
C2098. Sherlock Holmes Detective Stories. New York: J.H. Sears & Co., [n.d.]. iii, 239 p. Garnet red cloth with repetitive diamond shaped design and letters in gilt on cover and spine; design also in black on endpapers and title page. Contents as above.
C2099. Sherlock Holmes Detective Stories. New York: J.H. Sears & Co., [c.1923]. iii, 239 p. (The Reader's Library. Edited by Lucas Lexow). Ruby cloth with shield and architectural design in gilt on cover; architectural design on endpapers. Also published without copyright date on verso of title page. Contents as above.
C2100. Sherlock Holmes Detective Stories. New York: J.H. Sears & Co., [n.d.]. iii, 239 p. (Royal Blue Library) Dark blue cloth lettered gilt on spine, with crown and shield in gilt on cover; marbled endpapers; top edge gilt. Contents as above.
Why does Sherlock Holmes abhor emotions?
A. Sherlock Holmes is a logical man and in many cases, Logic (Logos) and Emotion (Pathos) conflict with one another. In such cases of conflict, IF Sherlock Holmes valued and enjoyed emotions, then he may find it difficult to side with the "logical side of his brain".
Though, IF Sherlock Holmes rejects the thought of experiencing emotions and forces himself to remain as stoic as possible (as unattached to people, places, and emotions) - THEN, he can effectively, efficiently, and logically handle a situation.
In most of the cases that Sherlock Holmes works to solve, emotions have played a vital role one way or another. Whether it be that the killer acted out of blind rage (an emotion), or if a man stole a diamond ring out of pure greed (an emotion).
Everyone, for the most part, feels emotion of some sort or another. Sherlock Holmes, is able to (in most situations), control his emotions and put personal feelings to the side.
If a man is enraged with fury, he cannot logically form a solution to the problem that he is faced with.
If a man is mourning the death of a loved one, he cannot effectively motivate himself to attempt to solve the case.
If a man is madly in love with another, he may be blind to the truth that they are only manipulating him and his feelings.
I could go on ALL day about the reasons why Sherlock Holmes hates, detests, avoid, etc. emotions.
What are some character traits of Sherlock Holmes?
He was rather un-social, determined, clever, focused, efficient.
There is some evidence that he was bi-polar. Extremely excitable when he had a case extremely depressed and give to cocaine when he did not.
What are The Red-Headed League Clues?
Follow in this order to find out mystery
clue 5. Jabez Wilson's pawn shop is behind the the City and Suburban Bank.
clue 2. The red-headed league job took Jabez Wilson away from his shop from ten until two in the afternoon.
clue 1. Spaulding spent a lot of time in the cellar
clue 4. When Holmes looked at Vincent Spaulding's knees, he saw that they were covered with soil.
clue 3. When Holmes knocked on the ground in front Jabez Wilson's pawn shop, he discovered that the ground beneath was solid.
Helen Stoner is one of the main characters in the story "The Adventure of the Speckled Band". It is a Sherlock Holmes mystery.
What is the theme of 'The Adventure of the Red Headed League'?
'The Red Head League' is a Sherlock Holmes mystery. Written by Arthur Conan Doyle. It concerns a red-headed London shop owner who is persuaded to join a rather exclusive club where all members have to be red-headed. Membership is profitable, the shop owner is paid to copy out the encyclopedia. Then once day he arrives only to find a note on the door of the club saying that the club has been disbanded. The shop owner consults Sherlock Holmes - who deduces a truly sinister plot behind the whole affair.
What nationality was Arthur Conan Doyle?
Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, but he was a pure-blood Irishman
In his autobiography, Memories and Adventures (1924), Conan Doyle writes: 'I, an Irishman by extraction, was born in the Scottish capital after two separate lines of Irish wanderers came together under one roof.'
