Sherlock; the importance of friendship

Sherlock Holmes: The Importance of Friendship
The American novelist, Emily Griffin, once said, "Love and Friendship; they are what make us who we are. They are the ones who change us and help develop ourselves to our true potential." Through friendship, one has a person to share company with, tell stories to, and help guide them through right and wrong. In the novel Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the significance of friendship is clear. Watson’s friendship to Sherlock Holmes was not only beneficial to his own life, but mostly Sherlock’s. Dr. Watson was the leading cause of Holmes’s exposure, he helped solidify Holmes’s theories, and he assisted Holmes in solving his cases. Through analyzing Watson’s relationship to Sherlock Holmes, one can recognize the importance of friendship; for without friendship, one’s true being is not fully explored.
To begin, Dr. Watson was the leading cause of Holmes’s exposure. Through the countless stories Watson told about Holmes’s endeavors, Holmes’s recognition became known. In the stories narrated by Dr. Watson, such as A Study in Scarlet and the Hounds of Baskerville, he expressed in great detail the cases Holmes solved. Holmes tells Watson the main story from his memories, while Watson becomes the narrator of the frame story. One example of how Watson communicates Holmes’s memories, would be in A Study in Scarlet, when he articulate, “ ‘We were old women to be taken in.’ and in another famous sex reversal, Irene Adler dresses as a man the evening she walks by Holmes in Baker street and says, ‘Good-night, Mr. Sherlock Holmes’.” His clear recount of events, not only sets the scene for others to understand, but it also exposes Holmes and his work. This form of exposure spread throughout London which resulted to the multiplication of Holmes’s clients. Without the stories told by Watson, Holmes would not have had nearly as many clients as he did, which allowed Holmes to further analyze his true purpose of being a detective.
Following, Dr. Watson helped Holmes formulate his theories. In most cases, Watson was used as a ‘test dummy’ to help Holmes finalize his hypothesis. In the Hound of Baskerville this form of experimentation can be examined. During the case, Holmes was trying to understand the reasoning behind him and his client’s hallucinations. He, involuntarily, submitted Dr. Watson for experimentation. His research included drugging Dr. Watson, and analyzing his behavior patterns. Once badgered by Watson for his actions, Holmes expressed, “In order for me to solve this case someone had to be tested, thanks for your contribution Watson, I believe you unraveled our problems”. Although Holmes’s actions were insincere, his friendship with Watson made it easier for him to test his theory. Anticipating Watson’s frustration, he knew their friendship was strong enough for his actions to be over looked in the long run. All in all without Dr. Watson, most of Holmes’s theories would have gone untested. Through Watson contribution, Sherlock unknowingly acknowledged his importance in his life. This importance would come in the form of providing him with clarity and perspective in his theories, which later influenced his true being.
In Continuance, Dr. Watson was also Mr. Holmes’s ‘wingman’ when it came to finalizing his theories. Although his indirect job was to help Holmes form his notions, he ultimately was the one who helped Holmes finalize his accusations. He would often times pose a question, which would offset Holmes’s initial decision. One key example would be in the Hound of Baskerville when Watson articulated to Holmes, “If it is the sugar, then why isn’t everyone else affected?” Watson’s ability to question Holmes’s theory forced Holmes to reanalyze his hypothesis from a different perspective. This goes to show the benefits of a good friend. Through Watson’s perspective, Holmes was able to recognize the flaws in his theories. The acknowledgment of his flaws shows development in his true self. The old Sherlock Holmes would have firmly believed his reasoning was the only accurate opinion, but through the involvement of Dr. Watson, Holmes was able to perceive a different perception.
Not to forget, Dr. Watson also came in handy when it comes to solving cases. As a ‘wingman’, Holmes anticipated Watson’s attendance, but didn’t always expect his input when it came to solving cases. One specific instance would be when Holmes and Watson were analyzing evidence and Watson voiced, “Amazing Holmes, simply amazing, of course, you did forget one very important clue… ‘Rache’ is ‘Echar’ spelled backwards.” As response Holmes communicated, “Very clever, Watson. Well, I’m certain I would have arrived at that conclusion sooner or later.” Even though Holmes didn’t give Watson the benefit of the doubt in helping him find that piece of evidence, Watson still was valuable to Holmes. Watson’s ability to help Holmes without caring about receiving glorification for his input only supports the importance of friendship. Holmes’s inner being was indirectly explored. Through Watson’s action, Holmes would have unknowingly recognized how through the involvement of his friend, he may not have always been able to come up with the correct answers on his own.
However, one may also debate that friendship deviates one from their true potential. Often times, Sherlock and Watson would harass one another and hold each other back. When Watson articulated, “Well, I knew it. My father was right; I’m going to lose my medical license. I always knew that making friends with you would end up in disaster.” He expressed how Holmes’s involvement in his life negatively affected him. If one were to look at all the negative encounters, the two had together, it is easier to state that friendships only hold one back.
All in all, Watson provided Sherlock with a good sense of companionship. He was the one Sherlock went to for advice, the one Sherlock told his stories to, and the one he shared his company with. Without Watson, Sherlock would not have been able to develop into his true self. Friendships define us as people. One’s friendship is a reflection on oneself and whom they aspire to be. In Sherlock Holmes, the relationship between Watson and Sherlock express the importance of friendship. Whether it was through their communications to one another or the adventures they took together, their friendship helped develop each other into their true being. Even though they faced some obstacles along the way, “Well, I knew it…I always knew that making friends with you would end up in disaster.” In the long run, without one another they would have never developed into the men they were.