A Study in Scarlet

Autobiographical Deductions: Doyle's Characters and Context College

In the novel A Study in Scarlet, we observe the relationship between Dr. John Watson, a retired Anglo-Afghan war veteran, and Sherlock Holmes, whom we first learn of as a man that works at a chemical laboratory in the hospital. Within the first chapter of this novel, we are set up to wonder who Sherlock Holmes is and why he is characterized to be such a mysterious person. Sherlock Holmes is brought out as a “cold-blooded” person (Doyle, 10), but I believe he is actually very big-hearted and works quietly, and most importantly, very diligently to do the right thing. I also believe that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle relates himself to Holmes in many ways throughout this novel by using Holmes as a character to describe who Doyle is, and lessons that he had learned during his years growing up.

Early on in the novel, Watson arrives in London and meets up with an old friend at the Criterion Bar. He reveals that he is looking to spend less money on housing by finding a roommate to live with. This is when Dr. John Watson’s friend, Stamford, first bring up Holmes by mentioning that he knows of someone else that is also looking for a roommate. Watson’s friend Stamford goes on to state about Holmes, “You mustn’t blame me if you don’t get on with...

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