Chloe Coose B1

A Comparison between Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes

Two of the worlds most popular fictional detectives, Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes, have both seen great triumph in their profession, but what makes them so successful? Is there method to their madness, or has their big reputation been built up on a series of lucky chances? (Roger Ackroyd 113). The actions of Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christies The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and The Murder on the Links, and the actions Sherlock Holmes in Sir Arthur Conan Doyles The Hound of the Baskervilles demonstrate the similarities and differences between the successful lives of the two well-known European detectives. To a detective, strong methods are the way to success, and both Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes are very devoted to their effective though different methods. Hercule Poirots methods rely greatly on his little grey cells (Roger Ackroyd 114). He does not see the value of gathering external evidence by run[ning] to and fro, making journeys, and agitating [himself] [His] work is done from within [his head] (Links 22). Hercule Poirot has also trained himself as a detective to take notice of the particularly small, seemingly unimportant details of the mystery. For example in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, when Poirot is at the crime scene he regards the slight displacement of a chair by the window where the murderer is thought to have entered. While the police ignore this clue, Poirot says, It is completely unimportant that is why it is so interesting (Roger Ackroyd 105). On the other hand, Sherlock Holmes methods require a great amount of observation. Holmes is not afraid to run around to look for clues. Holmes shows that his methods require a good thorough analysis of physical evidence when he has Watson observe Dr. Mortimers cane. When Watson shows to be making only elementary observations, Sherlock exclaims, You know my methods, apply them! (Doyle 12). Additionally, Sherlock Holmes prides himself in being a man of science. When Dr. Mortimer told Holmes of the superstitious legend that contained a possibly supernatural creature, Holmes replied that it was only interesting to a collector of fairy tales (Doyle 14).

Chloe Coose B1 Though the two detectives methods differ tremendously, Poirot and Sherlock are similar in their interactions with their accomplices. Hercule Poirot tends to travel to mysterious destinations and obsess over peculiar things while on a case, while not explaining any of his actions or plans to his partner. When his assistant in The Murder on the Links can no longer bare it any more, he asks for clarification of Poirots findings so far. Poirot replies by saying, You do not understand, but I will explain it all to you in good timebelieve me (Links 142). Furthermore, Poirot knows that he is superior to his accomplice, and his attitude and actions towards him reflect that. Hastings, Poirots partner in The Murder on the Links, is so familiar with being inferior to Poirot that he feels a thrill of satisfaction as [he] realizes that in Marchauds eyes, at least, [he] ranked equally in importance with Poirot (Links 93). Also, because Hastings looks up to Poirot, when Poirot offers Hastings praise, Hastings is so flattered by the little mans approval that [he] could hardly speak (Links 197). Like Poirot, Holmes also has superiority over his accomplice, John Watson. Watson has lived years being undermined by Holmes, and when Holmes gives him a small compliment, Watson admits that [Holmess] words gave [him] keen pleasure (Doyle 11). Also similar to Poirot, Holmes lacks the ability to clearly communicate his full plans to any other person until the instant of their fulfillment (Doyle 197). Both of the detectives are independent and sometimes lofty towards their partner in the mystery. Another thing that Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes have in common is their expectations for themselves. They both are determined to succeed, without a small detail escaping them. When Hercule Poirot takes up a murder case, he says, If I go into this, you must understand one thing clearly. I shall go with it to the end (Roger Ackroyd 95). Also, the detectives expect themselves to always be right. When Poirot finds a clue that contradicts his previous conclusions, he mutters, It is impossible. I cannot be wrong! The facts, taken methodically, and in their proper order, admit of only one explanation. I must be right! (Links 161). Sherlock Holmes reacts in a similar manner when he finds out the truth about Dr. Mortimers cane. When Dr. Mortimer tells Sherlock that it was a wedding gift, Holmes says, Dear, dear thats bad you have disarranged our little deductions (Doyle 15). Sherlock Holmes is also devoted to sticking with the mystery until the very end. When they are on the verge of closing out the mystery,

Chloe Coose B1 Holmes says to Watson, Were closing on our grips at last! What a nerve this fellow has! We have never had a foeman more worthy of our steel (Doyle 181). In brief, Hercule Poirot, as portrayed in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and The Murder on the Links, and Sherlock Holmes, from The Hound of the Baskervilles, are similar because they both expect the very best from themselves and they are superior and sometimes private towards their assistants. However, their methods differ in that Poirot takes a more mental/psychological approach to crimes, while Holmes finds observation the central focus of his methods. However different they may be, both Poirot and Holmes have found terrific success in their detective career, and their great reputation among Europe reflects that.

References
Christie, Agatha. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Thorndike: Center Point Publishing, 2012. Print. Christie, Agatha. The Murder on the Links. Thorndike: Center Point Publishing, 2012. Print. Doyle, Arthur Conan. The Hound of the Baskervilles. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers, 1959. Print.

Chloe Coose B1