The Problem of Thor Bridge

Discuss how the short story adheres to the conventions of crime writing; the great detective (refer to resource 2)
The short story composed by Arthur Conan Doyle, The Problem of Thor Bridge directly adheres to the conventions of crime writing, specifically, the great detective. These conventions include narration by Watson, a distressed person begging Holmes for assistance, the observation of the crime scene to discover clues and the detective explains to others what has occurred to the other characters and readers. Other conventions are used in the text yet the previously listed will be discussed in this essay. All of these conventions are evident through Doyle's literary features. These crime writing features ensure the text directly conforms to the great detective style of the genre. The text begins with, Watson the central character, detective Sherlock Holmes's loyal assistant narrating the previous case they had tackled. This convention of Watson's narration is demonstrated in the first line "there is a travel-worn and battered tin dispatch-box with my name, John H. Watson, M.D". He then goes on to tell of the receiving of a letter from a clearly distressed male asking for help to protect his girlfriend, reflecting on the convention of a man in distress begging for help with a case. "I can’t explain things–I can’t even try to explain them, but I know beyond all doubt that Miss Dunbar is innocent.” The literary technique, first person perspective is used throughout the letter to describe the situation so that it becomes apparent to the reader that a real man is pleading for help from the talented detective. The story continues as Holmes begins to use his incredible skills of observation to discover clues, when he notices a mark on Thor Bridge, this alone demonstrates the distinctive characteristics of the great detective. The description in the quote "The stonework was grey, but at this one point it showed white for a space not larger than a sixpence,” it draws attention to his superior surveillance talent. Nearing the conclusion of the story Holmes communicates his discoveries to those partaking in the incident. This convention is demonstrated in the final paragraph of the short story "Then she took one of her husband’s revolvers–there was, as you saw, an arsenal in the house–and kept it for her own use. A similar one she concealed that morning in Miss Dunbar’s wardrobe after discharging one barrel, which she could easily do in the woods without attracting attention. She then went down to the bridge where she had contrived this exceedingly ingenious method for getting rid of her weapon. When Miss Dunbar appeared she used her last breath in pouring out her hatred, and then, when she was out of hearing, carried out her terrible purpose. Every link is now in its place and the chain is complete" Each convention used and discussed in this essay, demonstrate the style of crime writing written at the time. Closer analysis of similar texts from different periods also begin to show the evolution of the genre over time.