The Irregulars: Why Was Sherlock Holmes Killed Off? Timeline
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Date: 2022-07-19
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Comments and reviews: 20
David
Okay there is some interesting stuff here--like Doyle's mother's possible relationship with her former lodger, and his time on a whaler--but much of this is stretching. More, the author of the voice-over clearly doesn't know Holmes at all. Whoever it is reveals this in so many details, getting tiny and important things wrong. Even making claims that are weird--like all the drunken husbands in the Holmes stories--who? I have a sense there must be some but I cannot think of any. But what does spring to mind (and it is telling the writer doesn't think to mention this) is the violent, murderous father in The Speckled Band.
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Okay there is some interesting stuff here--like Doyle's mother's possible relationship with her former lodger, and his time on a whaler--but much of this is stretching. More, the author of the voice-over clearly doesn't know Holmes at all. Whoever it is reveals this in so many details, getting tiny and important things wrong. Even making claims that are weird--like all the drunken husbands in the Holmes stories--who? I have a sense there must be some but I cannot think of any. But what does spring to mind (and it is telling the writer doesn't think to mention this) is the violent, murderous father in The Speckled Band.
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lee
Some good insights, especially toward the end. But the killing of Holmes is badly over-psychoanalyzed. Conan-
Doyle simply wanted to free himself to write what he'd dreamed of writing all along, historical romances in the manner of Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson -- and the stories he heard from his mother. Unfortunately, that wasn't his forte.
Personally, I think his greatest act of genius wasn't the creation of Sherlock Holmes but of Doctor Watson! None of us could have stood being around Holmes for even a day.
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Some good insights, especially toward the end. But the killing of Holmes is badly over-psychoanalyzed. Conan-
Doyle simply wanted to free himself to write what he'd dreamed of writing all along, historical romances in the manner of Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson -- and the stories he heard from his mother. Unfortunately, that wasn't his forte.
Personally, I think his greatest act of genius wasn't the creation of Sherlock Holmes but of Doctor Watson! None of us could have stood being around Holmes for even a day.
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eleanor7
I always assumed when it came to Conan Doyle killing off Holmes, that he was growing tired of him. Where the public was demanding more and more Holmes and writing those stories perhaps felt like a machine cranking out supply and less fun for him as a writer? Holmes had become this larger than life character in his own right and Conan Doyle probably was just bored doing the same thing over and over for Holmes and wanted a change. Or perhaps he felt overshadowed by Holmes and just wanted to break free of what Holmes had become.
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I always assumed when it came to Conan Doyle killing off Holmes, that he was growing tired of him. Where the public was demanding more and more Holmes and writing those stories perhaps felt like a machine cranking out supply and less fun for him as a writer? Holmes had become this larger than life character in his own right and Conan Doyle probably was just bored doing the same thing over and over for Holmes and wanted a change. Or perhaps he felt overshadowed by Holmes and just wanted to break free of what Holmes had become.
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John
I think all authors reflect on their own life knowledge in their stories. At the point where he killed off Holmes I think it may have been a strange combination of boredom with the character and jealousy. It may be that the realization the character was larger in life them himself and a sense he was only a Watson to a fictional character no less, that caused him to kill off Holmes. I think the public demand for the return of Holmes also gave him more of the public notoriety he may have been seeking. Just a thought.
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I think all authors reflect on their own life knowledge in their stories. At the point where he killed off Holmes I think it may have been a strange combination of boredom with the character and jealousy. It may be that the realization the character was larger in life them himself and a sense he was only a Watson to a fictional character no less, that caused him to kill off Holmes. I think the public demand for the return of Holmes also gave him more of the public notoriety he may have been seeking. Just a thought.
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jagirl966
I was subtly introduced to Sherlock Holmes by way of Disney's The Great Mouse Detective. A few years later, I learned that Basil was based on Sherlock. Then I got into the anime, Detective Conan/Case Closed, where the main character mentions the author created his idol. It wasn't until I was a high school jr, that I read The Hound of the Baskervilles and liked it.
And a few years ago, I discovered a cartoon that, apparently came out when I was little. It follows most of the cases with a twist.
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I was subtly introduced to Sherlock Holmes by way of Disney's The Great Mouse Detective. A few years later, I learned that Basil was based on Sherlock. Then I got into the anime, Detective Conan/Case Closed, where the main character mentions the author created his idol. It wasn't until I was a high school jr, that I read The Hound of the Baskervilles and liked it.
And a few years ago, I discovered a cartoon that, apparently came out when I was little. It follows most of the cases with a twist.
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UK
I find it intriguing that Doyle felt Holmes was taking over his life, was overshadowing him, because the exact same thing was said by the actor Jeremy Brett who portrayed Holmes in the brilliant tv series. Brett often stated that Holmes was overcoming him, almost leeching the life from him and indeed the man became very ill toward the end of the series.
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I find it intriguing that Doyle felt Holmes was taking over his life, was overshadowing him, because the exact same thing was said by the actor Jeremy Brett who portrayed Holmes in the brilliant tv series. Brett often stated that Holmes was overcoming him, almost leeching the life from him and indeed the man became very ill toward the end of the series.
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DianaRose
Doyle hated being interviewed because all they wanted to talk about was Holmes and not his other books. Doyle told friends he was sick of writing the same character over and over but was so hounded by fans. He kept writing for peace and quiet. He couldnt even get away with killing him off. The avalanche of protest was overwhelming.
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Doyle hated being interviewed because all they wanted to talk about was Holmes and not his other books. Doyle told friends he was sick of writing the same character over and over but was so hounded by fans. He kept writing for peace and quiet. He couldnt even get away with killing him off. The avalanche of protest was overwhelming.
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Macnutz420
Doyle got very sick of writing Sherlock Holmes stories. He considered it the least worthy of his writings. That is the simple reason that he killed off the character, so he could quit writing those damned stories.
The demand for the Return of Holmes was Huge.
Doyle did not love Sherlock and Watson.
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Doyle got very sick of writing Sherlock Holmes stories. He considered it the least worthy of his writings. That is the simple reason that he killed off the character, so he could quit writing those damned stories.
The demand for the Return of Holmes was Huge.
Doyle did not love Sherlock and Watson.
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brachiator1
This video would be far more interesting if it simply told the story without speculation or embellishment. Doyle created a fictional character that captured the reader's imagination and later wanted to branch out into something new. The anguish and backlash from fans is an amazing story in itself.
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This video would be far more interesting if it simply told the story without speculation or embellishment. Doyle created a fictional character that captured the reader's imagination and later wanted to branch out into something new. The anguish and backlash from fans is an amazing story in itself.
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swagmanandy
He's popular because secretly we all wish he really was real or that we could be like him, and as long as in our minds the sea coal burns in the grate and hansom cabs rattle through the fog and Moriarty still plans his devilry he will live forever in Baker Street.
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He's popular because secretly we all wish he really was real or that we could be like him, and as long as in our minds the sea coal burns in the grate and hansom cabs rattle through the fog and Moriarty still plans his devilry he will live forever in Baker Street.
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Gorki
When I was in my early teens, I found Sherlock Holmes' books and, for many years I thought he was as real as Santa Claus. What a heartbreaking pain was to have to face that he was just a fiction. Although, deep in my heart, I still believe in him. He is still my hero.
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When I was in my early teens, I found Sherlock Holmes' books and, for many years I thought he was as real as Santa Claus. What a heartbreaking pain was to have to face that he was just a fiction. Although, deep in my heart, I still believe in him. He is still my hero.
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Joel
Dr Joseph Bell was the main inspiration for Holmes.
Conan Doyle was fed up that his other works were ignored and he ran out of ideas for Holmes.
Remember he was briefly resurrected in later years, mainly for popularity.
Let's not look for other motives.
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Dr Joseph Bell was the main inspiration for Holmes.
Conan Doyle was fed up that his other works were ignored and he ran out of ideas for Holmes.
Remember he was briefly resurrected in later years, mainly for popularity.
Let's not look for other motives.
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mic
I am surprised that there is no mention of The Cottingly Fairies. How Conan-Doyle became the biggest advocate that the photos of fairies at the bottom of the garden were real. It turned out that the creator of the greatest detective was duped by two teenage girls.
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I am surprised that there is no mention of The Cottingly Fairies. How Conan-Doyle became the biggest advocate that the photos of fairies at the bottom of the garden were real. It turned out that the creator of the greatest detective was duped by two teenage girls.
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Jaska8000
I have read far more novels in my life than an average person of my age of 42. Fictional novels? Let's say over 1000. But still to day, none of Arthur Conan Doyle's production. This video inspired me to buy a copy of Baskerville hound.
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I have read far more novels in my life than an average person of my age of 42. Fictional novels? Let's say over 1000. But still to day, none of Arthur Conan Doyle's production. This video inspired me to buy a copy of Baskerville hound.
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Nyctophora
I completely disagree with the point about it being a jaunt away from modern technology. The stories make great use of the latest technology such as telegrams and train travel (calculated to the minute) as well as medical science.
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I completely disagree with the point about it being a jaunt away from modern technology. The stories make great use of the latest technology such as telegrams and train travel (calculated to the minute) as well as medical science.
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Adrian
There's an interesting parallel between Conan Doyle and his near contemporaries Gilbert and Sullivan, both of whom felt that they should move on to more serious work, but who were trapped by the immense popularity of their operettas.
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There's an interesting parallel between Conan Doyle and his near contemporaries Gilbert and Sullivan, both of whom felt that they should move on to more serious work, but who were trapped by the immense popularity of their operettas.
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Private
Why? So Sir Doyle could measure the reading public's reaction and response. Valuable information to Professor Moriarty and even Holmes himself. which he ingeniously worked into the story that brought him back from the dead.
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Why? So Sir Doyle could measure the reading public's reaction and response. Valuable information to Professor Moriarty and even Holmes himself. which he ingeniously worked into the story that brought him back from the dead.
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CUMBICA1970
A bit surprised to know Conan Doyle was Scottish. I don't know but I have the impression that he's mostly described as British while somebody like Sean Connery is always THE Scot guy. I dunno maybe it's just me.
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A bit surprised to know Conan Doyle was Scottish. I don't know but I have the impression that he's mostly described as British while somebody like Sean Connery is always THE Scot guy. I dunno maybe it's just me.
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yelloworangered
I think Holmes was a clever toy that Doyle enjoying playing with for a while. Then his ambitions changed and he resented getting out this (to him) worn-out toy and plying it once again for an audience.
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I think Holmes was a clever toy that Doyle enjoying playing with for a while. Then his ambitions changed and he resented getting out this (to him) worn-out toy and plying it once again for an audience.
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Ted
For me, the most remarkable aspect of Doyles writing is his superb dialog, his ability to create an interesting and unpredictable plot, his clarity and pace and finally his grasp of the frailties of human nature.
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For me, the most remarkable aspect of Doyles writing is his superb dialog, his ability to create an interesting and unpredictable plot, his clarity and pace and finally his grasp of the frailties of human nature.
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