A Study in Scarlet Essay Questions

1. 1
What is the character of Watson like?
Watson is a doctor in the military; he served during the Second
Afghan War but was wounded by a bullet in the shoulder and then
contracted typhoid fever. Sent to convalesce in London, he prefers
a quiet and solitary existence in the city where he knows no one.
He possesses a keen intellect and is very rational. He is not
particularly eccentric or strange; he may quite easily be classified
as "normal." He is not prone to any bouts of depression and does
not dabble in any drugs. He describes his flaws as owning a gun,
objecting to loud altercations because his nerves are shattered from
war, laziness, and keeping ungodly hours. He appreciates music
and is up-to-date on current events. He is intrigued by Holmes and
is very laudatory of the latter's skills. Above all, he is a calming,
normalizing, stabilizing influence on the manic Holmes.
2. 2
What contributes to the easy relationship of Watson and
Holmes, especially as Holmes does not get along with many
people?
Holmes is generally intolerant of other people's inability to reason
from what they observe. He describes his own ability to "reason
backwards" and laments that more people aren’t capable of this. He
does not have too many friends due to his strange activities and
oftentimes abrasive personality. However, Watson proves to be a
worthwhile acquaintance for Holmes. The two men's idiosyncrasies
complement each other. They do not interfere with the other's
activities or work. They are intellectually compatible. Watson
vocally approves of Holmes' incredible powers, which flatters the
prideful Holmes. Watson enjoys observing people; Holmes enjoys
being observed and is perfect fodder for such observation. Watson
is game to accompany Holmes on his endeavors to solve the case
 and has a few helpful pieces of input. Overall, the two men get
along because they respect each other, are intellectual equals, and
balance each other's personality quirks.
3. 3
What are the shortcomings of Scotland Yard detectives,