**In Chapter 1, Watson and Holmes take turns deducing characteristics of Dr. Mortimer, using his left-behind walking stick as a focal point. Not surprisingly, Holmes is almost entirely accurate. Holmes never guesses, but makes factual observations of what is presented to him. The following questions will deal with Holmes's methods of deduction.
1) Holmes's working picture of Dr. Mortimer is almost completely accurate. How did he arrive at these conclusions? More specifically, what is the difference between guessing and deducing? The difference between deduction and guessing is that deduction is a more concrete and strong answer because it includes having logic rather than just making an estimation. Guessing is supposing an opinion without strong information on the subject.
2) Compare and Contrast: Compare and contrast Watson's statements versus Holmes's statements in regards to Dr. Mortimer. How did Watson arrive at his conclusions? Was he actually deducing or guessing? How can the reader tell? Why is Watson wrong? Can anyone deduce as correctly as Holmes or does the person need to be an expert? Watson considers Dr. Mortimer an elderly doctor who is very successful. He believes the cane he uses has C.C.H. on it, standing for a country club. Watson believes Dr. Mortimer walks a lot due to the old, beat up cane. Sherlock Holmes agreed with Watson in that he attended a country club; but the cane that has C.C.H. stands for a hospital: Charing Cross Hospital. Holmes believes he has a medium size dog because of bite marks on the cane. Watson arrived at his conclusions because he thought he was elderly and not much keen anymore. Watson was guessing on his knowledge of Dr. Mortimer, thinking inside the box. Anyone could deduce as accurate as Sherlock Holmes, but only if you are in the right state of mind.
3) Is Watson capable of deduction? Why or why not? Feel free to compare Watson to Holmes if it is necessary to get your point across. Dr. Watson is capable of some deduction, but not near as much as Sherlock Holmes. To deduce is to arrive at an opinion just by observing and seeing the obvious facts.
4) Separate yourself from Holmes's deductions. How would you have characterized Dr. Mortimer based on his walking stick? Consider how the cane is described. How did you arrive at your conclusions? Can you honestly say that you have deduced or guessed? Based on the walking stick that Dr. Mortimer uses, it would seem as though he is elderly and almost unable to walk, and has been that way for a while because the cane is worn out. His dog has been biting his cane as well. Based on these conclusions, I have deduced to an extent but guessing helps out in the long run.
2) Compare and Contrast: Compare and contrast Watson's statements versus Holmes's statements in regards to Dr. Mortimer. How did Watson arrive at his conclusions? Was he actually deducing or guessing? How can the reader tell? Why is Watson wrong? Can anyone deduce as correctly as Holmes or does the person need to be an expert? Watson considers Dr. Mortimer an elderly doctor who is very successful. He believes the cane he uses has C.C.H. on it, standing for a country club. Watson believes Dr. Mortimer walks a lot due to the old, beat up cane. Sherlock Holmes agreed with Watson in that he attended a country club; but the cane that has C.C.H. stands for a hospital: Charing Cross Hospital. Holmes believes he has a medium size dog because of bite marks on the cane. Watson arrived at his conclusions because he thought he was elderly and not much keen anymore. Watson was guessing on his knowledge of Dr. Mortimer, thinking inside the box. Anyone could deduce as accurate as Sherlock Holmes, but only if you are in the right state of mind.
3) Is Watson capable of deduction? Why or why not? Feel free to compare Watson to Holmes if it is necessary to get your point across. Dr. Watson is capable of some deduction, but not near as much as Sherlock Holmes. To deduce is to arrive at an opinion just by observing and seeing the obvious facts.
4) Separate yourself from Holmes's deductions. How would you have characterized Dr. Mortimer based on his walking stick? Consider how the cane is described. How did you arrive at your conclusions? Can you honestly say that you have deduced or guessed? Based on the walking stick that Dr. Mortimer uses, it would seem as though he is elderly and almost unable to walk, and has been that way for a while because the cane is worn out. His dog has been biting his cane as well. Based on these conclusions, I have deduced to an extent but guessing helps out in the long run.
**Because Arthur Conan Doyle wrote several Sherlock Holmes stories, very few ever go into introductions or descriptions of Holmes or Watson. However, in this short chapter, the reader can see the relaxed, non-case related interactions between Holmes and Watson. The following questions will explore the relationship between Holmes and Watson as depicted in Chapter 1.
5) Describe the character of Holmes versus Watson. What are the differences between the two men? The similarities? Is it outlandish that these two men would be close friends? Why or why not? The differences between Holmes' and Watson are that Holmes is considered a famous detective with a "keen eye". He is very observative and intuitive. Sherlock Holmes' sidekick, Dr. Watson, is eager to solve this case for him. They are both detectives and can make assumptions about people. It is not outlandish for Holmes and Watson to be friends because they are alike and thrive upon each others' deducing.
6) How do Holmes and Watson feel about each other? How does Holmes treat Watson's hypothesis on Dr. Mortimer? How does Watson respond to Holmes? Describe the dynamic between them. Watson says how Holmes does not wake up until late in the mornings. He thinks he is very smart, yet a little crazy. Holmes feels Watson should be praised more. Holmes thinks Watson is making guessing assumptions about Dr. Mortimer. Watson believes Holmes is foolish for his deduction of Dr. Mortimer, but he is right.
7) Do you believe that Watson and Holmes possess a true friendship? Is Holmes, as unemotional as he appears to be, even capable of maintaining a friendship? Cite specific examples from the text to support your arguments. Holmes and Watson do not have a true friendship; they differ in opinions because Watson is a more guessing type of detective while Holmes is deductive. Holmes is not capable of maintaining a good friendship because he lets his work take over his life.
8) Is Watson and Holmes's relationship believable? Why or why not? Is there any relationship in your life that you feel resembles that between Watson and Holmes? Their relationship is believable because they are witty towards each other and always want to "one-up" the other. This is a real life relationship because some people do that to others to always want to do better than them.
6) How do Holmes and Watson feel about each other? How does Holmes treat Watson's hypothesis on Dr. Mortimer? How does Watson respond to Holmes? Describe the dynamic between them. Watson says how Holmes does not wake up until late in the mornings. He thinks he is very smart, yet a little crazy. Holmes feels Watson should be praised more. Holmes thinks Watson is making guessing assumptions about Dr. Mortimer. Watson believes Holmes is foolish for his deduction of Dr. Mortimer, but he is right.
7) Do you believe that Watson and Holmes possess a true friendship? Is Holmes, as unemotional as he appears to be, even capable of maintaining a friendship? Cite specific examples from the text to support your arguments. Holmes and Watson do not have a true friendship; they differ in opinions because Watson is a more guessing type of detective while Holmes is deductive. Holmes is not capable of maintaining a good friendship because he lets his work take over his life.
8) Is Watson and Holmes's relationship believable? Why or why not? Is there any relationship in your life that you feel resembles that between Watson and Holmes? Their relationship is believable because they are witty towards each other and always want to "one-up" the other. This is a real life relationship because some people do that to others to always want to do better than them.
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