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Stereotypes In Sherlock Borne

Decent Essays

"The game's afoot my dear Watson!" From Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's first brilliant series to BBC's modern day incarnation of the character, Sherlock Holmes has fascinated the world for centuries. Sherlock Holmes isn't a regular detective- he uses his amazing sense of deduction to "read" people. When Sherlock first meets Dr. John Watson, the first thing he asks is "Afghanistan or Iraq?" As Sherlock later explains, he had deduced by John’s military service by the tan on his wrist and the part in his hair. From that moment, one of the most legendary literary friendships of all time was born.- homles and Watson- the perfect equilibrium. While Sherlock is cool, calculated, and analytical, John is a character we can all relate to- he’s kind, he’s ordinary, …show more content…

These skills seem impossible, even unearthly. Believe it or not, we have the same skills, and use them on a daily basis; however, our deductions are far from being correct. 'She is wearing black; therefore, I further deduce that she is emo.' 'He has a letterjacket so he is a jock; therefore, he must be dumb.' We've all heard, and unfortunately had thoughts like these. These aren't helpful deductions; they're harmful stereotypes.

So, I'm taking the case! First, we'll go to the crime scene and discover why society is so keen to judge and stereotype others. Next, we'll start putting the clues together and discover what effect this judgement has on victims. Finally, we will lock up stereotypical tendencies for good.

Here we are at the crime scene. I don't see anything. That's the first problem- we don't realize how often we really stereotype. When we encounter new information, our brain sorts certain stimuli into different groups. It differentiates between groups by either downplaying or exaggerating differences. Patricia Devine, a professor at the University of Wisconsin, won an award for her research in 1989. Her theory stated that when we first encounter a person, stereotypes are opened automatically, even if they are in opposition to our personal beliefs. However, a controlled process determines whether we accept or reject the stereotype. Think of it as a multiple choice test- you are given different …show more content…

Sometimes it may be silent, sometimes loud as sirens, but it all leaves the same guilty clues that even the most inexperienced detective can follow. We are all human, and need to team up against this evil villain. We need to stop being purely analytical like Sherlock Homles, and be more like John Watson-meeting everyone with an open mind and genuine curiosity. Next time you see someone, regardless of what they may look like, clear your head. See them for who they really are. Have a genuine conversation with the person before forming your own opinions. Meet them with an open mind. Things are not usually what they seem, so take the time to figure out what they really are- we can use common sense like Sherlock, and humanity like John. Because maybe we were wrong all along- maybe the game was never a-foot. Maybe it was a leg or an ankle. Thank

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