Chen 1 Elysia Chen Professor Lynda Haas Writing 37 20 February 14 The Mans Friend Genre conventions are defined

as the elements of fiction that are, like archetypes, repeated and transformed throughout each interpretation. Important genre conventions presented throughout modern text and Conan Doyles fictions include deductive reasoning, upper class lifestyle, and cautiousness. One convention that I value the most is Holmes and Watsons close relationship. Watson first met Holmes in A Study in Scarlet when they move in as roommates. Doyle portrays Holmes as an isolated character who later meets Watson. Although Stamford states that [Holmes] is not a man that it is easy to draw out, Watson and Holmes spark incredible chemistry. Similarly, this special relationship is also represented in the modern text House. The main character, Gregory House, has a best friend name James Wilson who acts as Houses sidekick and moral support. The modern day text House is about a man named Gregory House who solves nearly impossible medical puzzles in order to save lives. Although he has a team that assists him with difficult cases, his one and only true friend is always James Wilson. Wilson supports and stands up for House when he is in tough situations while helping House realize the realistic truth. In one of the posters of this modern day text, House has his arms around Wilson, and the poster is titled isnt it bromantic. House looks away from the camera with a wondering look while Wilson has his determined eyes set on the

Chen 2 audience. This symbolizes that Wilson has a realistic view and gives House advice that usually keeps House out of trouble. The poster shows that House has a more imaginative and aggressive personality, which may sometimes be problematic. However, these two characters balance each other out perfectly and fit together like two puzzle pieces. Their special bond is portrayed in House, season 8, episode 19 The C Word. In the previous episode, Wilson finds out that he only has 5 months to live due to cancer. Being a doctor himself, h e knows his situation very well and has been staying in. The lighting of this scene sets the tone when House is talking to him. They were in a living room in their casual attire with a wine glass in their hands. The two of them sit down on a couch and just start chatting about cancer. The dimness makes the conversation intimate and at the same time serious. During this heart to heart conversation they have, there is no music playing in the background. Usually, background music sets the tone for the scene, yet in this scene, there are just purely House and Wilsons voices. This adds on to the seriousness of the situation. Their outfits add on to the tone, which makes it more calming. All of the above show that Wilson and House are comfortable with each other. Just like Holmes, House doesnt have close friends except for Wilson. Although he has a team of assistances, he never opens up to the or truly care for them like he does for Wilson. Darkness also symbolizes the severity of the situation. Instead of the happy sunny lighting, they are in a room with dim lights exchanging thoughts and solutions. Camera angle controls the view for the audience. A conversation in movies is usually filmed from the side of the actresses. Yet, in this scene, the camera is pointed directly into Wilson and House as they speak. This gives the illusion as if they are

Chen 3 speaking to the audience directly and looking into their eyes. A connection is suddenly created between the actress and audience, which make the conversation more sincere. When Wilson speaks, there is nothing to distract the audience, so they are put into Houses shoes to understand the sincerity of each word. This directness is not usually presented between House and any other team members in this modern day text. Audiences get a better interpretation of this special relationship by this face-to-face conversation. When the audiences understand the situations, they also understand the intimate relationship between Wilson and House. This convention is interpreted in several other modern day texts. The 2 films of Sherlock Holmes is the direct modern day text that interprets the Conan Doyle Stories. Watson and Holmes relationship is presented as close as the original text. Being Holmes sidekick, Watson shows respect and loyalty towards him. In The Hound of the Baskerville, Holmes was afraid that Watsons life would be in danger, so he secretly investigates the case on his own and protects Watson at the same time. Their friendship is shown throughout other stories of Holmes, and it has set its foundation in them. However, several modern day texts have made changes to these two people. In Elementary, a woman plays Watson; In Psych, an African American actor plays Watson. Although Watson is played by different gender or race according to the film, the purpose of the role is the same. The figure Watson is always the person that understands Holmes the most and assists him when he is in need. In my opinion, these changes are necessary because of modernization. The films would be easily criticized as sexist or racist if white people play the casts. These minor changes are made so that the films are more diverse, which attracts a broader range of audience.

Chen 4 In conclusion, Holmes and Watsons relationship are carefully interpreted in all modern day texts. Whether Watson is play by a different race or a different sex, their relationship stays the same. Holmes is always portrayed as an aloof character who isnt easy to talk to, yet Watson understands him and supports him. Their relationship is admirable and thats why it is still used in many modern day texts today.

Chen 5 Works cited Crank, Cindy. "Horses and History Throughout the Ages." Horses and History Throughout the Ages. Wordpress.com, 2 May 2011. Web. 15 Jan. 2014. "House (TV Series)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Feb. 2014. Web. 21 Feb. 2014. Queen, Jacob, and Lauren Fritsky. "What Are Genre Conventions?" WiseGeek. Conjecture, 25 Jan. 2014. Web. 21 Feb. 2014.