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Character Analysis Of Sherlock Holmes's 'Scandal In Bohemia'

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A Misunderstood Man People strive every day to be the best individual they can be. They are taught that characteristics such as humility, loyalty, kindness, respect, and being strong-willed are all admired by others, and thus within society. But, daily life is consumed by bad news, criticism, and insecurities that put extensive, unnecessary weight on people’s shoulders. So, how can one individual be admired for possessing these quality characteristics when society is focusing solely on the negatives within daily life? It is challenging for any individual to live up to such high societal expectations especially when society is in a constant loop of negativity that blinds it anything remotely positive. This idea of society’s negative outlook …show more content…
Holmes is portrayed in an undesirable light based off of his character flaws such as arrogance, drug use, and sometimes annoying and overwhelming intelligence which appear even more fatal to a society that can hone in on these immediately. However, in “A Scandal in Bohemia”, Sherlock Holmes shows he is a genuinely good and remarkable person by upholding true societal ideals through willingly helping people and retaining high standards of respect towards others. Even though Sherlock Holmes has a very high degree of intelligence, he uses this gift to eagerly help those around him. Watson, the narrator of “A Scandal in Bohemia” and Holmes’ best friend, describes in the introduction of the story the successes of Holmes in his absence. He states that since he has been gone he has …show more content…
He does not give out his respect to others easily, since people like the King do not deserve it. Characters such as Adler and Watson possess characteristics that Holmes himself admires and appreciates and in turn, respects. In society, this is also true, as people learn to only associate with whom they trust and respect. Holmes reiterates the ideal that respect is not given unless it is returned. Unfortunately, this point is not seen since only the negative characteristics of Holmes stick out to readers who are living in an undesirable society. His “arrogance” for refusing to shake a king’s hand overshadows his point that respect for oneself is more

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