剖析《福尔摩斯》中的人物刻画

1、学 号：华北理工大学毕业论文GRADUATE THESIS 论文题目：剖析福尔摩斯中的人物刻画学生姓名：专业班级：11英语1班学 院：外国语学院指导教师： 2015年03月31日On the Characterization of HolmesByA graduate thesissubmitted in partial fulfillment of the requirementsfor the degree of Bachelor of Arts to theCollege of Foreign LanguagesHebei United UniversityMarch 31st, 201

2、5摘 要柯南道尔是英国杰出的侦探小说家，被誉为“英国侦探小说之父”。当道尔的第一篇侦探小说血字的研究发表后，文中主角夏洛克福尔摩斯以独特的个性和出色的逻辑推理风靡全球。之后创作的福尔摩斯探案集系列同样受到读者的喜爱。在最后一案中，福尔摩斯本该与敌人同归于尽，但是因为读者对福尔摩斯死亡的不满，柯南道尔最终让福尔摩斯回归。从这点可以看出福尔摩斯的受欢迎程度。本文通过文本细读和对小说人物形象的整体把握上，对如何刻画人物进行了分析，阐述了三种刻画人物的方法对成功塑造福尔摩斯这个人物形象的作用。本文共分为四部分。引文部分主要概述作者柯南道尔及小说福尔摩斯探案集系列的情况，并对人物福尔摩斯做简单介绍。正文

3、的第一部分主要分析人物福尔摩斯的形象，通过写他的原型，知识，性格，探案特点四个方面来描写。第二部分具体分析如何刻画人物，从语言描写，动作描写和其他细节描写三方面来详细分析。结论部分在总结本论文主要观点，同时升华总结福尔摩斯的人格魅力。关键词： 福尔摩斯； 人物刻画； 语言描写； 动作描写 ABSTRACTConan Doyle (1859-1930), a famous detective novelist in England, is known as “the father of English detective novel”. As Conan Doyles first detecti

4、ve story A Study in Scarlet was published, the character Sherlock Holmes became popular all over the world with his unique personality and excellent logical reasoning. Then The Complete Classic Series of Sherlock Holmes gained readers love. Sherlock Holmes was arranged to die with his enemy in The F

5、inal Problem by Arthur Conan Doyle, which aroused readers discontent. Therefore, he had to make Sherlock Holmes escape with bare life in the next story. From this interlude, it is not difficult to know the popularity of the stories of Sherlock Holmes. This thesis analyzes the characterization of She

6、rlock Holmes through scrutinizing reading of the text and knowing the image of the fictional character, finally explaining the functions of three methods of characterization in creating Holmes.The thesis consists of four chapters. The introduction gives a brief account of Conan Doyle and The Complet

7、e Classic Series of Sherlock Holmes. The first part of the dissertation analyzes the image of the protagonist Sherlock Holmes through his prototype, knowledge, personality, and his characteristics in solving cases. The third part is about how Conan Doyle depicted such a character by the description

8、of dialogues, actions, and other details. The conclusion part summarizes the whole thesis, representing the charming personality of Sherlock Holmes.Keywords: Sherlock Holmes; characterization; dialogues; actionsCONTENTS摘 要IABSTRACTIIChapter 1 Introduction1Chapter 2 Literature Review32.1 Researches a

9、bout Holmes in foreign country32.2 Researches about Holmes in China4Chapter 3 On the Characterization of Holmes63.1The Image of Holmes63.1.1 The Prototype of Holmes63.1.2 The Characters of Holmes73.1.3 The Knowledge of Holmes93.1.4 The Detective Characteristic of Holmes103.2 The Strategies of Charac

10、terization103.2.1 Dialogue Description103.2.2 Action Description133.2.3 Other Detail Description14Chapter 4 Conclusion17BIBLIOGRAPHY18ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS19Chapter 1 IntroductionSir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859) became best known for his creation of the detective Sherlock Holmesone of the most vivid and end

11、uring characters in English fiction. Sherlock Holmes appeared in A Study in Scarlet in Beetons Christmas Annual of 1887. From 1887 to 1927, Arthur Conan Doyle published in succession 60 stories about Sherlock Holmes in The Strand Magazine.In December 1893, in order to dedicate more of his time to wh

12、at he considered his more important works (his historical novels), Conan Doyle had Holmes and Professor Moriarty apparently plunge to their deaths together down the Reichenbach Falls in the story “The Final Problem”. Public outcry, however, led him to bring the character back in 1901 in The Hound of

13、 the Baskervilles, though this was set at a time before the Reichenbach incident. In 1903, Conan Doyle published his first Holmes short story in ten years, “The Adventure of the Empty House”, in which it was explained that only Moriarty had fallen; but since Holmes had other dangerous enemiesespecia

14、lly Colonel Sebastian Moranhe had also arranged to be perceived as dead. Holmes ultimately was featured in a total of 56 short stories and four Conan Doyle novels, and has appeared in many novels and stories written by other authors.Those works of Conan Doyle were all about how Sherlock Holmes solve

15、d various weird cases. There is a character that people never forget, it is Dr. Watson. Dr. Watson is Sherlock Holmes friend, assistant and sometime flatmate, and is the first person narrator of all but four stories in the Sherlock Holmes canon. Under his descriptions, Sherlock Holmes presents his e

16、xcellent reasoning ability, and unique characteristics. Sherlock Holmes opponents are diverse. There is the hypocrisy gentleman, the vicious criminal, the weird pervert, and the scheming Jesuit. The tricks of crime are by no means identical. The odd and winding plots hold all readers attention. Sher

17、lock Holmes becomes the pronoun of detective. This paper is to analyze the characterization of Holmes.The introduction gives a brief account of Conan Doyle and The Complete Classic Series of Sherlock Holmes. The first part of the text analyzes the image of Sherlock Holmes through his prototype, know

18、ledge, personality, and his characteristic in solving cases. The third part of the text is about how Conan Doyle depicted such a character by the description of dialogues, actions, and other details. The conclusion part summarizes the whole thesis, represents the charming personality of Sherlock.Cha

19、pter 2 Literature ReviewAs has been mentioned in the above chapter, Sherlock Holmes Series has not got the systematic research it deserves. In China, researches about this novel are mainly concerned with the translation and influence of this novel in the Late Qing and early republic period. As for t

20、he contemporary Chinese versions, related researches are even fewer. But in foreign country, the studies on Holmes are various.2.1 Researches about Holmes in Foreign CountryArthur Conan Doyle was born on 22 May 1859, and he published A Study in Scarlet in 1887. Then Holmes began to be attractive to

21、readers. Holmescases are almost reported by Watson, who brings humanity to Holmes. So the studies about Holmes are related to the author, Doyle or the relationship between Holmes and Watson.The researches normally dates back to 1902, but the real Sherlockian study began with the publication of Studi

22、es in the Literature of Sherlock Holmes written by Monsignor Ronald A. Knox in 1911. This paper is the cornerstone of Sherlockian Literature. It was a satire on the serious academic research. Monsignor Ronald tried to convince the Sherlockian to find something that was important but didnt earn the a

23、uthors enough attention. He said that there is a special fascination in applying this method to Sherlock Holmes.Just as Holmes says It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.(Ronald. 2) It might be the motto of Holmes life. Ronald thought that Holmes

24、has his own methods and thoughts.The wave of studying Holmes had rising up. Some biographies about the author occurred. Among them, John Dickson Carr published his work named The Life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that becomes the best-seller at that time. With the writings the life of Doyle and how he

25、created Holmes, he made people know the real prototype of Holmes. John Dickson Carr described the strange relationship between Doyle and Holmes. Doyle was famous for Holmes and got off of poverty, but finally he still hate Holmes. As John Dickson Carr said, Doyle had lost interest in Holmes but he h

26、ad to continue the stories under the pressure of readers.Many excellent works appeared between 1940s and 1960s. However, the most influential book about Sherlock is W.H. Baring-Goulds The Annotated Sherlock Holmes, which gave a complete annotation of the Sherlock Holmes canon including 56 stories an

27、d 4 novels. His work absorbed some popular views about Holmes. But the chronology in the book was the most fascinating. He has done an excellent job of detailing Holmes life and sorting out the often-confusing dates and time lines of the Holmesian Canon. Baring-Gould also published a book named Sher

28、lock Holmes and the Baker Street in 1962. In this book, he makes his attempt at unraveling and chronicling Holmes sometimes mysterious life. He described Holmes earily life and his brush with Jack the Ripper in 1888, an interesting but not wholly satisfying account. Another work to study the feature

29、s of Holmes is numerous in foreign country. Bedside, Bathtub and Armchair Companion to Sherlock Holmes published in 1998 is one of them. It was written by Dick Riley, Pam McAllister.Providing an overview of all aspects of the life and times of the world-famous detective, Riley and McAllister offer i

30、nteresting and entertaining information about the fictional detective. Along with the trivia and information, the authors introduce historical background on Victorian England, a short biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Their book is helpful for readers to learn the social panorama of the fiction,

31、like explanations of rank in the British nobility, drugs used in the era, and the wars mentioned in the stories. There are also many other works to explain why Holmes is so attractive. But as a foreign character, Holmes is popular in China. He has his own development in China.2.2 Researches about Ho

32、lmes in ChinaSherlock Holmes came into China in the Late Qing and early republic period. The translation of Sherlock Holmes Series has reached a climax. One of the famous writer is Kong Huiyi. In Chinese Translations of Classical English Detective Stories 1896-1916, she analyzed the problem of mater

33、ial selecting, the reason for the popularity and different phases of translation in the first part and discussed the mode of storytelling and the adjustment made in Chinese vision, taking Sherlock Holmes as an example. She also wrote an article named “Popular Fiction as Educating Tools: Sherlock Hol

34、mes in China” in which she researched into the translation of Sherlock Holmes Series in the period from 1896 to 1916. In this article, she claimed that the stories of Holmes can be a treatment for the then China society. Kong Huiyi summed up that Sherlock Holmes should earn its enough attention, whi

35、ch will have great influence in detective literature, and the study of him should continue. There is also another person we have to refer to-Li Oufan(李欧梵，2004), a famous scholar. In the article Sherlock Holmes in China, he made a research into the reason why Sherlock Holmes series were so popular in

36、 China and the influence it exerted on the then society. In his opinion, Qing dynasty was on the verge of collapse and the political situation was turbulent, so Chinese people hoped that there can be a people to save them in the subconsciousness. Then Holmes appeared. He was the only people.In recen

37、t years, the study of Holmes is often started by Sherlockians. Ellry(刘臻) opened many websites to combine the Sherlockians and share the information of Holmes. His work called Real dreamland: decoding Holmes introduced Arthur Conan Doyles chronology, the dairy of Watson, and the survey of the other c

38、haracters. It also interprets the development of Holmes in China, and replications or plays of the novel.Generally speaking, the works about Holmes are various, but there is no systematic research about Holmes. So it is necessary to describe Holmes in a comprehensive angle. Chapter 3 On the Characte

39、rization of Holmes3.1The Image of Holmes3.1.1 The Prototype of HolmesThin hawk-like nose, founder and outstanding lower jaw are his unique appearance. His eyes were sharp and piercing, his figure is thin and long with hands covered by ink and chemical medicines. He is quiet as a mouse at the normal

40、time. During the day he is doing weird chemistry experiment or sitting on the sofa with two eyes blankly staring at the ceiling. However once there is a case, he immediately becomes excited as a hound, and then disappears in the streets of London. This is the classic image of Sherlock Holmes. But Sh

41、erlock Holmes is not just a pure fictional character. He has his origins and reference as well.According to Doyles work, the character of Sherlock Holmes was inspired by Dr. Joseph Bell, for whom Doyle had worked as a clerk at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Dr. Bells strange looks, strong personalit

42、y and especially the unique observation left young Doyle a very deep impression. Doyle was inspired by his teacher in many ways.For example, in A Study in Scarlet, when Holmes first met Dr. Watson, he said“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.” (Doyle, 8) which surprised Watson. Then Holmes expl

43、ained he made the judgment through Watsons air of a military man, his skins color and his body condition. Also in this book, once Holmes looked at a stalwart, plainly-dressed individual looking anxiously at the numbers with a large blue envelope in his hand, he decided that the man was a retired ser

44、geant of Marines. Actually, Conan Doyle borrowed this kind of description from Bell. Bell often told his students to observe carefully. During his work, in hopes of learning more about his patients and perhaps treating those more effectively, Bell would study their hands, look for tattoos, and liste

45、n for accents. Bells reasoning seemed simple, but if people bypassed the process, the result can receive surprise effect as Conan Doyle written in his novels. All of those had given Doyle great inspiration.However, the similarities dont end there. Like Holmes, Bell reportedly had an angular face and

46、 “shrewd eyes”. Additionally, both were Renaissance men, though their choice in hobbies differed. Bell enjoyed bird watching, sports, and poetry, while Holmes was never without his treasured violin. Some researchers thought Sherlock Holmes was the combination of Bell and Doyle. No matter whom Holmes

47、 is, Doyle had created such a successful character. A lot of Sherlock Holmes researchers, including the famous Sir Sidney Robert, William B. Baring-Gould and Trevor Hall, can rationally realized that they were studying a fictional character at the beginning of their research. But at the end of their

48、 work, they automatically put on the master as an existing historical figure. This is probably the common good hope in all the researchers hearts. 3.1.2 The Characters of HolmesWe have all known how large the popularity of Holmes is. One of the reasons is that Sherlock Holmes is like a real person l

49、iving in the world. He is the hero but he is not perfect. Watsons narrations describe Holmes as a very complex and moody character who, although of strict habit, is considerably untidy. According to E. M. Forsters theory, Sherlock Holmes is a round character. Forster divided characters into flat and

50、 round. For the flat characters, “In their purest form, they are constructed round a single idea or quality.” (Forster, 1927: 61) Even they “can be expressed in one sentence” (Forster, 1927: 61). However round characters have plump, complex figures. They always have a relatively stable personality,

51、but present some different sides of character. The round character is more real, “It has the incalculability of life about it life within the pages of a book” (Forster, 1927: 71). So now we discuss the characters of Holmes through several aspects.Firstly, we start from his attitude to work. His inte

52、rest in the solving of the case is the thing of paramount importance. Facing his work, Holmes is always enthusiastic and strict, while he may be malaise if he has no cases to solve. Even he spends time with the help of drugs. When in the midst of an adventure, Holmes can sparkle with remarkable pass

53、ion. His amazing energy during the peculiar cases is often out of imagination. He uses his meticulous observation to reveal the mystery which the police find no clue and give up. When he is indulging in his own reasoning, he often presents a cool look and shows people the expression of indifference.

54、 If someone interrupts his thinking, he would throw a temper tantrum without any hesitate.Though he does the detective job for a living, but Holmes is not very interested in money. He handles cases only for an ultimate purpose to fight for justice. However, the justice is not to the letter of the la

55、w, but to Holmes own code of justice. In several stories, he turns a blind eye to the “crime” as he sympathizes with the perpetrator of the crime and sees the action as being justifiable and acceptable. The murder of a blackmailer and the murder of a violent husband are two cases in point.The second

56、 aspect is about his emotion. Holmes demeanor is presented as dispassionate and cold. He attributes his solitary ways to his particular interests and his depressed disposition. But it is not fair to say that Holmes is as cool as a machine. He is also kind and gentle. He has different feeling on Wats

57、on. Watson is his assistant and reports many of Holmes cases. Sometimes Holmes would ask Watson to stay with him during the adventure, because Holmes trusts Watson and he needs Watsons help. Holmes also has deep feelings on the London social order and poor people. For social security issues, he is a

58、lways filled with extraordinary sense of responsibility, hating the sin. He treats equally to those people who come to him for solving difficulty no matter they are rich or poor. And for the good of the poor, he always does not care about returns, but for those pretentious people in upper class, he can also be unceremoniously. He chooses a case to solve not depending on the money which the client gives him, but on the case itself. Thirdly, Holmes is very rational. He cant bear anything to obstruct his rational judgments, especially the women. Holmes is