Sherlock Holmes Modern Hero

Sherlock Holmes perfectly embodies what is means to be a Victorian Hero in the novel The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. As a story written in the Victorian Era, the author describes the main character in such manner in order to illustrate what it means to be the perfect hero, during the era. Doyle depicts Holmes as the perfect hero within the entire story. Through acts of tremendous intelligence, a sense of reliability, and the physical appearance of a gentleman, the readers see Holmes as a hero in victorian times. Those who are considered to be a hero in the Victorian Era, exemplify characteristic similar to todays heros. The criteria of what it takes to be a Victorian hero has changes over time yet the ideals

Extremely new to his time, Sherlock Holmes uses all five of his senses to advance his research. The text says “...I held it within a few inches of my eyes, and was conscious of the faint smell of the scent known as white jasmine.” (Doyle 122). The thought to see how such an object smells, has never crossed the mind of any other investigator until Holmes discovered that crucial information can come from a simple scent. In the story, Holmes never let a simple detail slip, as he kept up to date with current issues. Doyle writes, “ … there is so very close a connection that the one is extracted out of the other… Don't you see now whence these words have been taken.” (22). As he pays very close attention to the smallest details, such as the latest article in the newspaper, he stays thoroughly invested in the case. Finally, any good investigator tries to understand every side of the case, Sherlock takes that thinking to the next level. The text says, “With tingling nerves but a fixed purpose, I sat in the dark recess of the hut and waited with sombre patience for the coming of its tenant” (89). By finding a unique way to solve the case, his effective aptitude towards understanding difficult situations, becomes very apparent. Holmes’s intelligence is entirely advanced for the Victorian era, furthering the idolization of is

Firstly, Sherlock possesses a sense of confidence that is not overpowering, but essential to benefit the case. Doyle says, “On the contrary, I think we are particularly hot upon the trail…” (Doyle 22). With complete understanding, he instills confidence in not only himself, but everyone around him. As the story continues, Holmes stays focused to the task on hand, rather than letting outside details impair his judgement within the case. The text says, “ Resisting Stapleton's offer of hospitality, Holmes and I set off to Baskerville Hall, leaving the naturalist to return alone.” (Doyle 99). In order to discover the most important facts, Holmes devotes his absolute attention to emphasis that he considers his cases individually very important. Throughout the novel we come to understand that a very important aspect of a gentleman, is his sophisticated appearance. Doyle describes, “ … with that catlike love for personal cleanliness which was one of his characteristics, that hos chine should be as smooth as his linen as perfect as if he were in Baker Street.” (90). By staying cleanly groomed and very presentable, the appearance of a gentleman is furthered. Sherlock Holmes is described to exemplify many key details related to a gentleman, advancing the image of an idolized