The Role of Sherlock Holmes in the Modern World: Social Anxieties in "A Scandal in Bohemia" Anonymous College

Before modernization, people were accustomed to a slow-paced life, free of industrial turmoil; however, the modernization and industrialization of the world made this comfort turn into fear and mistrust in an instant. In response to this extreme change that seemed to happen overnight, detective fiction stories became an increasingly popular form of entertainment and a way for people to understand their new world. One story by Arthur Conan Doyle called “A Scandal in Bohemia,” follows the adventure of a detective, Sherlock Holmes and his companion, Dr. John Watson, and in doing so indicates the nervousness that surrounded an era of historical change.

One morning, the king of Bohemia approaches the pair and asks for their help. He explains that a few years ago he had an affair with a woman named Irene Adler who has threatened to expose their relationship when he announces his impending marriage to the princess of Scandinavia. After many failed attempts to find the incriminating evidence – a photograph of the couple – the king turns to Holmes and asks him to take it from Ms. Adler. After doing some research about Irene Adler, John Watson and Holmes meet at her house to retrieve it. Holmes successfully locates the picture; however,...