In the novel, “A Scandal in Bohemia” by Conan Doyle, the protagonist Sherlock Holmes is not portrayed to be a sexist character. To begin with, Sherlock insists on having Doctor John Watson remain alongside with him. Just before the King of Bohemia enters for his consultation with Sherlock Holmes regarding his case, Watson offers to leave but Sherlock responds by saying, “[n]ot a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Boswell... it would be a pity to miss it.” (5). Sherlock invites Doctor Watson to stay in the room before the King of Bohemia comes in. This shows that Sherlock cares for having his friend and colleague in the room when he is working. Sherlock is not discriminating against the male sex because Doctor Watson is a male figure and Sherlock wants him to stay so that way he can record any details and understand all that is going on and afterwards help him with their case. Furthermore, Sherlock Holmes addresses Irene Adler in a respectful manner. After the great scandal that threatened the Kingdom of Bohemia is resolved, Doctor Watson says Sherlock, “[w]hen he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her photograph, it is always under the honorable title of the woman.” (13). Whenever Sherlock is speaking of Irene Adler he uses the term ‘the woman’, which is not used as a demeaning term. Instead it is a title that Sherlock’s uses to show his respect for Irene. Since Sherlock has respect for Irene it illustrates that he is not sexist against women. Therefore, Sherlock Holmes is not sexist because he insists of having Doctor Watson remain alongside with him and addresses Irene in a respectful manner.
Within the dramatization “A Scandal in Bohemia” directed by Paul Annett, again Sherlock Holmes is also not depicted as a