Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Adventure Of The Final Problem

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle writes a distinct but captivating tale of wit and cunning through his short story “The Adventure of the Final Problem.” The last escapade of the renowned detective is filled with suspense and drama as the contest between Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty ends with the demise of both the champion of the law and the most dangerous criminal of their generation. Within this adventure, Doyle not only manages to provide a unique perspective by telling the story through the eyes of Sherlock Holmes closest companion, but also manages to immerse the reader within his tale through the use of thick tones and blanketing imagery. “The Adventure of the Final Problem” is narrated by Dr. Watson, a peripheral character, and not by the main character, as one might expect. By using a peripheral character, Dr. Watson, as the narrator, the story is told in a more objective manner. For example, after Holmes tells Dr. Watson about Professor Moriarty, Watson goes on to tell the next events with a very factual tone, stating, “In the morning I obeyed Holmes's'’ injunctions to the letter… I drove immediately after breakfast to the Lowther Arcade… and I had no difficulty in finding the carriage which Holmes had indicated.” While the majority of the story is dialogue based, as illustrated in the example, the parts that are not dialogue …show more content…
Using specific descriptions in his dialogue, in addition to choosing an outside character to narrate, allowed a clear and objective perspective into the final moments of the esteemed detective. Doyle’s use of prominent adjectives and consistent strong imagery gives the reader a view into the setting of the story that not only creates a sense of anticipation, but also captivates and engages the reader, providing an entertaining and dramatic