Does Love and Friendship Exist in Spying and Detective Careers - Book Report/Review Example

Does Love and Friendship Exist in Spying and Detective Careers Having a good friend is really an asset in certain roles or activities to undertake in life. In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, the bond that exists between Dr. John Watson and Sherlock is vital in solving their cases. It denotes that without the loyalty and support of Watson during their cases, they could never have solved them. In The Final Problem Sherlock fakes his death to hid himself from Colonel Sebastian, unbeknownst to Watson. Holmes has all the hopes that Watson will corporate with him to compel him to publish an identity of his death, thus causing his hunters to believe in his false ending. After his return in Baker Street three years later, Holmes says, “For the last three years I have always taken my pen to write to you with fear that a friend will unleash my secret.” (The adventure of the Empty House). By this time in Canon, Watson and Holmes had become friends and it is obvious, although, the news is rolling first, the pair has no worries falling back into their old time. It is evident from the above text that both Holmes and Watson have mutual relations that only rests on their work and not other social related relationship (Arthur 12). They only work to ensure the detective job is undercover in order to get information from the people. Christopher Redmond, writes “The relationship of Watson and Holmes is understated, both as showcase of natural impacts of Victorian formality and friendship firmness.” The truth behind his words is overwhelming. Watson and Holmes never appreciate each other. Nevertheless, the author Doyle insures that the reader still knows that the two care for each other by using simple words with deeper meaning. A good example of what Doyle’s means is evident from The Adventure of the Speckled Band as Watson says, “ I have no deeper pleasure than in following Holmes in his professional investigative work……yet founded on logical basis (38).” Holmes informs Watson that his presence in his work is invaluable. Holmes accepting this is the strongest evidence we have that shows the detective really needs the assistance of the friend in the course if his work. As Redmond says, the friendship is actually mutual. He repeats his sentiments again when he writes that the relationship between Watson and Holmes is one of equals. This means that what one man lacks the other one contains. Watson lacks Holmes brilliance whilst Holmes lacks Watson’s compassion. Various facets determine the nature of the friendship between Holmes and Watson. Despite the fact that Holmes is clever and well organized cognitively, his plans do not always work. In The adventure of the Devil’s Foot, Holmes plans to experiment on a poison that he learns can turn sane men to mad men. The poison affects both Holmes and Watson, Watson’s fast thinking skills saves them both. Watson’s swift thinking and bravery saves both of them from the fate as the previous victims. It is evident that if Watson had not taken part in the experiment, it would have happened according to Holmes plan, he could have been driven insane or killed by the poison and the case would not have been answered. Thus, it is ideal to consider the relationship between Holmes and Watson is based on natural love and friendship that none of them can live without the other. Watson is the most essential asset to Holmes in all his deeds. Several times throughout their stay in canon, Watson is noted to save Holmes’ life or outlaying the risks for Holmes to consider, however, Holmes is never there to acknowledge Watson’s assistance with thanks. Holmes ought to trust his friend’s abilities to keep him out of harm and to benefit from his skills. In The Adventure of the Dying Detective Watson’s skills as a doctor and heartfelt concern made Holmes to shy away from him. When Holmes was pretending to be dead in order to lure a criminal who he was investigating, Watson is used. Fearing that Watson will not perform as expected. Watson gives a strong and reliable performance and convinces the man to Holmes bedside. According to Watson, he only did this because he genuinely and deeply cares for his wellbeing. In Sherlock Holmes, the relationship between Watson and Holmes is important in solving their detective cases. Calling Sherlock Holmes and John Watson “just mere friends” does not shows justice to the two who share a brotherly love for each other (22). Doyle writes the pair in a manner that depicts too strong friend yet to weak for passionate (romantic) love. The novel The Spy who Came In From the Cold portrays the like to live in the world without humanity. It shows a world that is opposite, in which people can be disposed, morals and social norms inapplicable and love becomes the greatest danger of all (Le Carré 15). It narrates the story of spy called Leamas who found that he was brought up with humanity buried inside him and later learned to live and to love. Contrary, it shows a story of a man called Mundt who lives his life with recognition of humanity or morality. He is a man who lives the life of a spy. According to the novel, the life of a spy is completely different to the life of ordinary people. They live in a world whereby the rule of law of the ordinary people does not apply. Intelligence work is their principle and results are all they care about, which must be reduced to written evidence (31). Because of this, spies cannot afford to show emotional relationship to normal humanity. As the display of love and friendship is, a problem that may get them killed. In this sense, a spy is required live a live distanced and detached from others “out in the cold.” Leamas did not take things lightly and that his career as a spy made his life harder than he wanted it to be. After the death of his agent Karl Riemeck, he believed that there is nothing good out of being a spy and wanted to retire from active spying. Leamas says, “After all the years I have worked for my people as a spy my relationship with my family has been a problem, not even those that in meet die because of being just my friends…. I cannot blame my enemy, but the career I chose is my deepest problem (17).” From the above statement is true that love and friendship is something that should never be considered while working as a spy because it will cost the lives of the people. On the other hand, Mundt has a very good life working as a spy. He enjoys he work with pleasure and prestige. He says, “thanks to the one who gave me this job since I cannot see myself living without it.” The life of his friend was nothing to him and he did not care if they were killed out of their friendship, “When one of my friends dies then I am the luckiest man since he died to save me and my career (58).” According to Mundt, the work of a spy is easy since it only needs to be inhuman and never to love or love with a reason of protection. The protection he takes about is the death of a friend. Based on the two novels analyzed, I conclude that love and friendship does exist in spying and detective careers, but the most significant things are to evaluate the nature of friendship and love. Romantic love is not favorable in both careers. Works Cited Doyle, Arthur Conan. The Penguin Complete Sherlock Holmes. Penguin UK, 2009. Le Carré, John. The Spy who Came in from the Cold. Simon and Schuster, 2001. Read More