There can be no debate about the fact that the stories of Sherlock Holmes are among the most popular as well as critically acclaimed literary works in the history of English literature. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the eminent literary artist who created the character of Sherlock Holmes has left an immortal mark in the minds of the avid readers from all the corners of the world with his unparalleled characterization, mystery and narrative that exude the author’s literary quintessence in engaging the readers to the texts in the best possible manner. Although the texts were penned by Doyle more than a century ago, the sheer popularity of the mystery series has stayed on in the memory of fiction readers, and this popularity is only reflected and reiterated in the various cinematic and other adaptations of Sherlock Holmes and his stories in the age of popular culture. An insightful scrutiny of the adaptations in relation to the original text by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would surely shed light on the interpolations and transformations in the style, narrative and basic essence of characterization and inter-personal relationships as expressed in the works of art. In the more recent works on Sherlock Holmes and his adventures, the thematic content of friendship between Holmes and Dr. Watson has come to the forefront. This is not an irrelevant transformation as it has its roots in the aim of enhancing the affective appeal of the stories portrayed in the audio-visual medium or in graphic novel form so as to make them more relatable for the audience.
For the purpose of discussion, one should first consider the inter-personal relationship between Sherlock and Dr. Watson, the narrator of the stories as penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It needs to be noted that Dr. Watson’s descriptions of the mystery and occurrences in relation to the cases of Sherlock Holmes have immense objectivity in its approach. The stories by Doyle never provide the insight into the mind of Sherlock Holmes, the enigmatic protagonist of the mystery series. Rather, the avid readers gauge him from the perspective of Dr. Watson who is also the closest one can get to Holmes. As such, there is an aura that is created around the character of Sherlock Holmes. (Doyle 3-25) In the original series by Doyle, it is this aura that accentuates the intriguing nature of the stories. The readers gauge the character of Holmes to be someone who is quite different from others. Thus, the characterization of Holmes creates a literary and aesthetic distance between the readers and the protagonist so as to highlight the special capacities of the detective. Here, Watson mostly works as a keen observer, occasional aide at the sole instruction of Holmes and a chronicler of the experiences.
However, as the famous works went on to be adapted in other forms of popular culture with time, there were interpolations on the part of the other creative artists adapting the text. These interpolations and transformations were aimed at making the texts more intriguing and engaging for the audience or the readers. For instance, one can consider the graphic novel adaptation of the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle classics. One of the most famous graphic novels is “A Scandal in Bohemia - A Sherlock Holmes Graphic Novel” created by Petr Kopl who adapts the story by the same title by Doyle in pictorial form to hog the attention of the readers. Now, it needs to be comprehended that the graphic novel for of art is comparatively a much newer one, and there is utmost emphasis on the pictorial representations. Here, the author not only adds a dash of humor in the graphic illustrations, but also focuses on the theme of friendship between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as the protagonist is shown solving a number of intertwined cases. (Doyle & Kopl n.p.)
In another graphic novel adaptation of the original work, “A Study in Scarlet”, adapted by Ian Edginton and illustrated by I.N.J. Culbard, one finds the theme of friendship between Holmes and Dr. Watson coming to the forefront. Now, in relation to both the graphic novels mentioned, it needs to be understood that in stark contrast to the perspective of Dr. Watson in the original work by Doyle, the graphic novels have an omniscient third person narrator. Here, Dr. Watson gets treated more like an active character rather than an observer chronicling the actions of the stalwart detective. (Edinton et. al. n.p.) Hence, there is need of highlighting the inter-personal relationship between the two major male characters of the story. Now, one can relate the major factor of change in the style of narration in the literary work by Doyle and the cinematic adaptation for the BBC television series as well. The BBC/PBS television series has totally revamped the literary work to make interpolations. The makers of the show have placed all the characters and the scenarios in the present day time and space. While the essence of the detective stories remains the same, a number of transformations have come about in the televised adaptation of the stories by Doyle.
“Unlike Holmes, the hard-boiled detectives are defined by their loner status.” (Steiff 60) The creative heads behind the adaptations have successfully focused on the theme of friendship and have made strong links between the characters of Holmes and Watson. This goes on to minimize the alienation of the character of the detective from the audience or the readers. Rather, being a person who values the inter-personal relationships with the near ones, Holmes comes across to be more relatable for the readers or the audience. “He’s a classic hero who is both respected and respectable, unlike the noir-antihero, who is usually looked down upon and alienated.” (Steiff 60) Thus, Watson and the bond of friendship helps in enhancing the affective appeal of the narrative as people can relate to the human characteristics of this male protagonist who is other hard to perceive.
Indeed, Sherlock Holmes is not a character who is commonplace in nature. It is his uniqueness that makes him distant from the society and the domain of inter-personal bonds. However, this negative trait gets neutralized due to his friendship with Dr. Watson in the modern adaptations of the classic literary work by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. “Holmes has played an important role in popular culture after the conclusion of Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, which continue to be republished in new editions.” (Porter 6) Television being one of the most popular mediums of entertainment in the present day scenario, the television series adaptation of Sherlock Holmes’ stories also focuses on the theme of friendly bond between Watson and Holmes so as to catapult the affective appeal of the episodes by adding that flavor of inter-personal ties between the two main characters. Moreover, such a depiction allows the plot and the narrative to be more intriguing in the audio-visual form of portrayal. The massive success of the television series all over the globe bears testimony to the fact that the depiction of friendship between Holmes and Watson did work for the audience.
Just as the graphic novels that have been discussed, the BBC/PBS television series also shows the stories from the point of view of a third person omniscient narrator. Having done that, Dr. Watson’s character as per the portrayal of Doyle would have been reduced to just a mere observer and aide with not much to do in the series of action. Hence, the equation between Dr. Watson and Holmes sees a massive change in the television series. They are shown to be so close companions that they are even taken to be homosexual partners their landlady. The audience sees the character of Dr. Watson to be much more active in the pursuits. The makers focus on the characterization of Dr. Watson to the point of making him the supporting hero of the detective stories. As such, in the very first episode of the series, “A Study in Pink”, one finds the developing bond of friendship between the two main characters. Toward the end, Dr. Watson does not think twice before shooting the killer in apprehension of Holmes’ safety. Holmes too having identified the unknown savior does not divulge the name to the police. As the duo walk off, one can comprehend the understanding and the growing trust between the two men. Thus, right from the very first episode, the audience comes to see the friendship between the characters. (BBC/PBS television) The thematic content of friendship is echoed in the book, “Sherlock: A Study in Scarlet” where Steven Moffat presents a literary description of the first episode of the television series. The change in the style of narration and the equation and understanding between Holmes and Dr. Watson can surely be identified as the two major factors of the literary work. This essentially works to enhance the affective appeal of the narrative, apart from making Holmes a more relatable character in stark contrast to the portraiture in the original series by Doyle where the protagonist was rather seen to be a distant, unsocial person who remains within his shell. (Doyle & Moffat n.p.)
Again, in the episode, “The Great Game”, when the antagonist of the television series, Moriarty finally has his very first confrontation with Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson is the one whose life is at risk. Now, it needs to be noted that the confrontation is an interpolation by the adaptors of the original story. The makers of the television series opt to put Watson in the situation so as to highlight the bond between him and Sherlock Holmes. The antagonist having targeted Watson to challenge Holmes, it becomes clear to the audience once again how close a bond of friendship the duo share. Thus, Watson has his own life in jeopardy wearing a bob attached to a vest, with Sherlock being challenged to help his friend in the grave moment. One can understand how the makers of the show focus on the theme of friendship to carry the narrative forward. The theme of friendship also gets highlighted in the climactic moments of both the episodes discussed. (BBC/PBS television)
In another episode titled, “A Scandal in Belgravia”, the theme of friendship between Holmes and John again gets highlighted. This is the first episode of the second season of the television series and shows how Irene Adler comes into the life of Sherlock. As the events of the narrative unfold, Mycroft, Sherlock’s elder brother, confides in Watson about the perceived demise of Alder, but asks him to tell Sherlock that she is in a witness protection program in the United States not to break his heart. (BBC/PBS television) As a friend, Watson cares about Sherlock and does not tell him about the grave news of death. Thus, there can be no denial that friendship has come to be a major theme of the stories. This same theme is echoed in the 2015 film, Mr. Holmes, directed by Bill Condon where one sees a 93-year old Holmes bonding with Roger, his maid’s son. In a recollection of his cases, Holmes realizes the importance of bonds and emotions. This film explores the human relationships rather than focusing on the mysteries encompassing Holmes’ life. (Bill Condon)
It would be correct to conclude by saying that the number of interpolations and transformations has made the texts more engaging and relatable for the audience. As such, in the television series as well as other adaptations, the thematic content of friendship and human emotions has come to get highlighted. This provides stronger characterization to the main characters of the series, and also enhances the believability of the characters. The popularity and critical acclaim of Sherlock Holmes as a literary series, graphic novel, film and television series in the modern culture testifies to its immortality as a work of art. The modern day adaptors have only shaped the original text in a way to fit into the needs and expectations of the present day audience.
Works Cited
Doyle, Arthur Conan. The Complete Sherlock Holmes. London: Aubrey Durkin, 1899. Print.
Doyle, Arthur Conan & Moffat, Steven. Sherlock: A Study in Scarlet. Television tie-in edition,
BBC Books, October 2011. ISBN-10: 1849903662 ISBN-13: 978-1849903660
Doyle, Arthur Conan & Kopl, Petr. A Scandal in Bohemia, Graphic Novel. MX Publishing,
2014. ISBN-10: 1780926804 ISBN-13: 978-1780926803
Doyle, Arthur Conan & Edinton, Ian & Culbard, I.N.J. A Study in Scarlet, Graphic Novel.
Sterling, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-4027-7082-1
Film.
“A Study in Pink,” “The Great Game,” “A Scandal in Belgravia”. Sherlock. BBC/PBS television,
2010-present.
Porter, Lynnette, ed. Sherlock Holmes for the 21st Century: Essays on New Adaptations.
London: MacFarland & Company, Inc., Publications, 2012. Print.
Steiff, Josef, ed. Sherlock Holmes and Philosophy: The Footprints of a Gigantic Mind. Chicago:
Carus Publishing Company, 2011. Print.
