The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Imagery

221B Baker Street

Everybody knows the address of the most famous detective Sherlock Holmes. He lives in the house together with the Dr. Watson and Mrs. Hudson in London. He receives his guests in the living room. Watson describes it in this way: “Our lodgings in Baker Street is buried among Sherlock’s old books and alternating from week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature.” Sherlock often uses his home as an office and laboratory.

Developed London

The author describes London as a powerful city with advanced economics and as a huge colonial empire. For example, regarding the successful businessman Mr. John Turner, who helps to develop British economics: “The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia, returned some years ago to the old country and held many farms.” Also many new jewels appear in London such as the Blue Carbuncle. Sherlock says that “it’s more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone.”

Suspicious Whistle

The image of the suspicious whistle is from the “The Adventure of the Speckled Band." When Helen’s sister dies, Helen decides to consult Sherlock. She starts to describe the strange sound in their house: “As I opened my door I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister’s door was unlocked and revolved slowly upon its hinges.” It turns out that it was a bell which had been used to call the snake that killed Helen’s sister.

Ambush in the Bank Vault

In "The Red-headed League," Watson waits with Holmes and the detectives in ambush for the robbers Holmes has deduced are planning to rob the bank. Through Watson's tense observation, Holmes describes the scene of waiting for a seemingly interminable length of time in pitch darkness and then the quick succession of action as the robber's light emerges. The focus on light and darkness dramatizes both the physical action and the moral struggle of the scene.