The writing in Sherlock Holmes books
is pretty standard. For the most part, it is the same English we use today. It I just
a little more old-fashioned. However, I would say the greatest difference is the amount
of sexist language present in Holmes
books.
Sometimes there are subtly sexist language usages,
such as this early description of Mary Mortan in The Sign of Four,
a book where Watson is particularly covetous of the female
sex.
She must
have been more than woman if she did not feel some uneasiness at the strange enterprise
upon which we were embarking, yet her self-control was perfect... (ch
3)
This lovely compliment
seems to imply that women lack self-control, or are emotional. Watson has cause to
comfort and protect Mary throughout the story.
After the angelic fashion of women, she had borne
trouble with a calm face as long as there was someone weaker than herself to support,
and I had found her bright and placid by the side of the frightened housekeeper. (ch
7)
Watson is not a bad sort
though. He is not a sexist pig. He is sympathetic toward
women.
From the great black house there sounded through the
silent night the saddest and most pitiful of sounds -- the shrill, broken whimpering of
a frightened woman.
Holmes, on the other hand, often speaks
disparagingly of them.
"Women are never to be entirely trusted -- not
the best of them." (ch
9)
Maybe that’s why Holmes
never married! Holmes often makes comments about women as a group, and never in a
positive way. These sexist comments would never be tolerated today, when we have a more
even conception of women.
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