Introduction This paper outlines in detail how the modern day Sherlock Holmes extends the cinematic concepts borrowed from the early classical conventions of Conan Doyle. The comparison and contrast are crucial in understanding whether changes, extensions or imitation of the previous works have altered or improved the literature. Therefore, this rhetorical analysis is geared towards examining the characters, scenes, settings, plots, themes, and literature style of the two chronologically divided works. Since the written texts and TV series are meant to satisfy the target audience, the bottom-line of scenic details is to be able to satisfactorily relay the messages to the audience. In the prior works of Conan, the Sherlock Holmes was written in texts in order for the audience to read and analyze the styles used, themes passed, and the character (Doyle 23-28). Consequently, thus analysis was dependent on the imaginations and thoughts of the readers. Every scene that was included in the novel analyzed was based on the perception of the audience. On the other hand, the current BBC TV series had brought high levels of sophistication to the traditional novel. The complex cinematic modifications, particularly on settings gave a modern touch to timeless classic. The cameras became the narrators and assisted the audience to understand the scene and the characters. However, the late developments were brought about by dynamism, specifically in the human culture. The reading habits of the audience had drastically deteriorated so most of them opt to watch, rather than read the text. These accomplishments had restricted the task of the audiences to analyze the deeper meaning of the plot, them and characters in the novel since they only need to watch the actors or actresses actions to understand the story (Adams 162-177). In this modern concept of the BBC series, the cameras had been used as the eye of the audiences to track the shots to follow the points of views of the actors or actresses. As a result, it is easier for the audience to feel characters’ emotions and actions by watching them, as opposed to the readers who find it easy to analyze the contexts into fine details. It is worth noting that despite the changes, majority of the ancient classical works of Conan Doyle’s text were retained.
Background of the Stories Both the Conan and Post-Conan Sherlock Holmes addresses the problems of social, cultural, and political backgrounds. “The Light in the Darkness” and “Scarlet Turns Pink” stories of Boyle, the ultimate messages conveyed to the people of British Empire were about the social injustices, political influences, and cultural issues. The reign of Queen Victoria of around 75 years between 1837 and 1901 was associated with the industrial revolution, economic prosperity, and widening divide between the poor and the rich. Consequently, poverty, homelessness, crimes, and drug abuse were inevitable (Porter 211). These were coupled with flawed justice systems and outdated methodologies of investigations. Similarly, the latest century BBC series try to convey the exact issues, but on a complex network and coverage.
Analysis of Scenes
The alterations in the 21st century are meant to conform to the audience, media, and contexts. In The Sign of Four, Holmes explained that the three qualities of an ideal detective are “power of observation and that of deduction knowledge”(Doyle 213). For this analysis, there will be a comparison of scene from “The Great Game” and “A Scandal in Belgravia”. In both scenes, the audience saw how Sherlock used his special observation and deduction skills in solving the cases. In “The Great Game”, he made use of his observation skills at the start of the episode by looking closely into the details to discover where the security works, and the owner of the shoes. On the other hand, in the “A Scandal in Belgravia”, he used his special skill in cracking codes for possible clues to solve the cases.
In the third episode of BBC’s Sherlock in Season 1 of “The Great Game”, where there was a scene where Sherlock was conversing with Dr. Watson in the cab, he told him that it is dangerous to jump to conclusion when there is no data. This was shown in the episode where Sherlock stated that he does not have the data yet to be able to make theories without consulting the facts surrounding the case. In solving the case of Connie Prince, Sherlock was able to solve the case of by observing and studying the online gossip. This presents that Sherlock was a genius in using his observation skills. While in the original novel in “A Scandal in Bohemia”, Sherlock listened closely to the gossip on the streets in solving the case.
In the BBC’s episode of “The Great Game” there was a scene where Irene Adler shows up and she still has in her possession and said phone is believed to contain valuable secrets and information that may significantly affect the lives of British. Adler knows that the “killers” are after her, and she knows that by keeping the documents on her mobile phone will become part of her leverage. After parting with the Holmes brothers to Mycroft’s office, Adler demanded that she given security and ransom money by claiming that she holds the key to one that will “blow a hole in the wealth of a nation.” However, Sherlock, being a genius had declined to such request. Adler decided to play coy by saying that she was only playing the game. However, Sherlock typed type letters, “I AM S H E R LOCKED,” in the phone to unlock the code. This was prior to the numerous times he tried to unlock the phone when Sherlock used Watson’s blog has and retrieved the number “1895” to unlock the phone thinking it is a clue that was planted by Adler herself. Sherlock tried the code: “I AM 1 8 9 5 LOCKED”, but was unsuccessful. This character of Sherlock shows that he has the talent to crack codes in solving mysteries and does not give up until he succeeds in unlocking the secret codes.
The modern era, Sherlock Holmes also showed various complex applications of science and technology. In the episode “A Scandal in Belgravia,” detective Sherlock pursues criminal offenders. In his confrontation with a photographer, Irene Adler, who has photographs in which a female royal family member also took, Sherlock keeps the enemies at bay as they try to access the password of the mobile phone with the photos. This dramatic play conforms to the modern society activities and technologies which can only be kept safe and secret by use of a secret password. Likewise, “The Great Game” depicted that the villain Moriarty is being tracked with those who understand television like Moffat, but the villain escapes (Doyle 101-125). This connotes that the current society, both the police departments and the police apply technology to execute their operations. “The Great Game” also showed that government officials interrupt the efforts of detective Sherlock. The high-priced dominatrix called Irene Adler is protected by the intelligence personnel, but their hard work is thwarted by the high ranked officials. It sparked Sherlock to retrieve the camera to avoid the impending scandal (Porter 187). These scandals have a positive correlation on how the new era of police officials operates in the midst of scandal networks. The episodes of the BBC series clearly employ the styles of actions, emotions and are much attached to the audience. Through sound effect and visual effects, the scenes and plays create a social convention. These give the audience an easy task to conceptualize the character traits of the players and their role. For instance, Moffat and Gatiss’ Sherlock, egotistical and selfish traits are clearly shown (Adams 75-80). The 21st century fans of Sherlock Holmes are advantaged since the task of the reading is replaced with attending theatres or watching over the television. The cameras, lights, and sound effects act as the narrator to the audience creating a paradigm of feelings through emotions and anxiety. Accessibility of the series had been increased since they are easily transferrable. The use of media is said to conform to the conventional lifestyle of the present population (Vanacker & Catherine 139-151)Conclusion The BBC series make references and allusions from the original stories of Sir Arthur Conan because the episodes show that the modern Sherlock Holmes don’t follow their plots strictly. To be in particular, the role of the main character, genre, and background have been adopted. Both the eras of Sherlock Holmes try to convey messages concerning social injustices, crime, deaths, drug abuse, and scandals that revolve around the social, cultural, and political grounds. Moreover, in both cases, the inception of application of science and technological models of investigations are embraced. Therefore, conclusion should be made by using rationality and following specified standard procedures in the quest for justice. However, the efforts of the intelligence group are derailed by scandals within a complex system. Nonetheless, “The Great Game” and “A Scandal in Belgravia” depict some revisions and advances. These later developments have used a whole new level of technological sophistication and fiction. The most conspicuous idea that was adopted from the previous classical stories is the genre. The 21st century storylines revolve around the consulting detective. Boyle believed in science thinking and rationality in order to improve the responsibility of the police. On the other hand, the BBC series of the modern setting retained the genre by using science and technology form the basis of the TV episodes in investigation of crime scene (Stein and Kristina 203-208). In the episode of “A Study in Pink” it was shows the application of technology by portraying Sherlock as digital wizard by using his intelligence with very advance technologies like use of Smartphone, GPS kits, and CCTV cameras. The modern day Sherlock episodes showed that gathering and filtering data, and arriving at conclusions were all dependent on sophisticated technologies during crime scene investigations (Vanacker & Catherine 92).
Works Cited:
Adams, Guy. Sherlock: The Casebook. London: BBC, 2012. Print.
Doyle, Arthur C. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes. Mumbai: Jaico Publishing, 2009. Print.
Porter, Lynnette R. Sherlock Holmes for the 21st Century: Essays on New Adaptations. Jefferson, N.C: McFarland, 2012. Print.
Stein, Louisa E, and Kristina Busse. Sherlock and Transmedia Fandom: Essays on the Bbc Series. Jefferson, N.C: McFarland, 2012. Print.
Vanacker, Sabine, and Catherine Wynne. Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle: Multi-media Afterlives. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan, 2013. Print.
