Sherlock Holmes: the Ideal Self-Made Victorian Professional

Summary The Victorian period saw an increase in professions as the Industrial revolution became more prevalent. The need for various services and nontraditional "gentlemanly" professions became necessary in order to meet society's needs. The Sherlock Holmes character portrays the essential fictional Victorian detective; however, he also represents the ideal Victorian, self-made professional male. This is the most Victorian quality evident in the Sherlock Holmes persona. This is evident...
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Summary The Victorian period saw an increase in professions as the Industrial revolution became more prevalent. The need for various services and nontraditional "gentlemanly" professions became necessary in order to meet society's needs. The Sherlock Holmes character portrays the essential fictional Victorian detective; however, he also represents the ideal Victorian, self-made professional male. This is the most Victorian quality evident in the Sherlock Holmes persona. This is evident through his education and development of his own theories, his lack of romantic relationships, and his apparent lack of a defined religious practice.About this BookThis book is a thesis presented to the to the faculty of the Master of Liberal Studies Program at Southern Methodist University in November of 2010 by Marc Bollon. In this thesis Holmes is treated as a real historical figure instead of a fictional character. It is not so much an academic work but is an insight into Sherlock Holmes the person and his place in Victorian England. In addition to it being about Sherlock Holmes, it also is a great historical review of the Victorian period as it discusses how education, religion, relationships, and the birth of new professions became a staple of the period. It will give you, the reader, an insight and perspective that perhaps you had not been considered before.