Dr. John Watson - The clue to understanding

The detective story through the eyes of Holmes’s friend

Term Paper , 2010 , 17 Pages , Grade: 1,3

English Language and Literature Studies - Literature

If we think about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his writings, we automatically think about Sherlock Holmes. But what about his partner and friend Dr. Watson? Is he not as important as his famous companion? Maybe he does not solve the mysteries and crimes maybe he is even a little slow and featherbrained. But Dr. Watson should not be underestimated. He functions as the mediator between the story and the reader. Speaking of a mediator implies that this instrument builds a connection between two poles. In this case it is the figure of Dr. John Hamish Watson. Mediation occurs for example if a call center should connect two business partners. Without a connection both could in fact speak but would not be able to either understand or hear each other. Hence the question arises between which two poles Dr. Watson is a mediator?
One of these poles lies similarly to Dr. Watson within Fiction. Namely Sherlock Holmes. On the other hand the second pole lies beyond fiction. It is the reader or even better the readership. So to speak Dr. Watson mediates between the internal text and action and the external world and surroundings, between fiction and reality. First I want to analyze the relationship between Watson and Holmes as well as the meaning of Watson within the story. In a second step I will try to illuminate correlation among the reader, Dr. Watson and the surroundings.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Introduction
• Dr. Watson in the centre of the criminal case...
  • The duo of Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes.
  • Dr. Watson as the spectator's narrator.......
  • The man behind the scenes.
  • Watson as emblem of the reader
• Dr. Watson's influence on the reader ......
  • Dr. Watson as John Doe a man like you and me
  • Determination of feelings by Watson.........
  • Eye to eye with Dr. Watson.....
  • Watson as steersman
• Conclusion...........
• Work cited............

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This term paper aims to analyze the role of Dr. John Watson in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. It examines how Watson functions as a mediator between the fictional world of Holmes and the reader, bridging the gap between the extraordinary detective and the ordinary reader. The paper explores Watson's characterization, his relationship with Holmes, and his impact on the reader's understanding and engagement with the stories.

• The complementary relationship between Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes.
• Dr. Watson's role as a narrator and his influence on the reader's perception of the stories.
• The significance of Watson's "ordinary" character in highlighting the extraordinary nature of Holmes.
• The impact of Watson's emotional responses and observations on the reader's understanding of the mysteries.
• The role of Watson as a guide and mediator between the fictional world and the reader.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The introduction sets the stage by highlighting the importance of Dr. Watson in understanding the Sherlock Holmes stories. It establishes Watson's role as a mediator between the fictional world and the reader, connecting the extraordinary detective with the ordinary reader.

The second chapter delves into the relationship between Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes. It explores their contrasting personalities, their complementary roles, and how their differences contribute to the dynamic of the stories. The chapter also examines Watson's role as a narrator and his influence on the reader's perception of the mysteries.

The third chapter focuses on Dr. Watson's impact on the reader. It analyzes how Watson's "ordinary" character helps the reader relate to the stories and how his emotional responses and observations shape the reader's understanding of the mysteries. The chapter also explores Watson's role as a guide and mediator between the fictional world and the reader.

Schlüsselwörter

The keywords and focus themes of the text include Dr. John Watson, Sherlock Holmes, detective fiction, character analysis, narrative perspective, reader engagement, mediation, ordinary vs. extraordinary, and the relationship between fiction and reality.

• College: University of Bayreuth
• Course: PS Whodunit
• Grade: 1,3
• Publication Year: 2010
• Pages: 17
• Catalog Number: V181470
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656047315
• ISBN (Book): 9783656047520
• Language: English
• Tags: sherlock holmes, dr. watson, detective stories