Sherlock

I thought it was interesting that we were assigned to read Sherlock Holmes. I personally have never read Sherlock Holms once. I feel that there have been so many adaptations made from this classic that I only noticed if it was an adaptation if it was painfully obvious. After beginning to dive into the serious I now realize how many movies, novels and bored games were based off of this detective classic. Nate the Great was always my favorite novel growing up. My mom used to read it to me every night while I would fall asleep. While I was reading Sherlock Holmes I realized that I used to love basically the children’s version. It was great to experience a blast from the past from this assignment.

Another experience I have had with Sherlock is the T.V show which is on Netflix and I completely recommend. Not only is it of course based on the great story of Sherlock Holms but it is just a great show in general. Since I have watched the show while I was reading the story I couldn’t help but picture the actor Benedict Cumberbatch and how the show pictured his ability to read a situation almost like visions.

One thing that I really found interesting in the story is when he is explaining his ability to read people and their appearance to determine their story. Sherlock says “I knew you came from Afghanistan. From a long habit the train of thoughts ran so swiftly through my mind that I arrived at the conclusion without being conscious of such steps” (Sherlock Holms A study in Scarlet” Sherlock says this to Dr. Watson when he asks how Sherlock received the information that he served in Afghanistan. Then Sherlock goes on to blow my mind even more. He then tells Dr. Watson the thoughts that ran through his mind when he met him leading him to know that he indeed was in Afghanistan. Most of the clues Sherlock used I believe I could have noticed such as Dr. Watsons tan complexion or his hurt arm. However, he also solved that he went through such hardship and was by reasoning in Afghanistan without missing a beat and took no time whatsoever. This shocked me and Dr. Watson as well. Sherlock uses the stairs in the house as an analogy. He states that they both know where the stares are and where they lead but he asked Dr. Watson if he knew how many stairs there were. Dr. Watson answered that he did not and Sherlock said that is the difference some notice while others simply walk the stairs. Sherlock Holms is a mysterious character and I’m excited to continue reading about him.

When we were assigned to read Romeo and Juliet, I was planning on just reading the book and hating it again like I did in middle school. However, after the first act I decided it would be worth trying the app version of the book. The app was amazing! It tells the story of Romeo and Juliet the way it was meant. This time around I still cannot say it is my new favorite book, but I appreciated the story and characters more. I believe Romeo and Juliet were foolish beyond belief. Not only do they fall in love only just meeting each other they also kill themselves to be together. One thing that I was thinking while reading the story was that Friar Lawrence was partially responsible for the ending. If he wouldn't have given Juliet the concoction that made every believe she was dead, then Romeo never would have believed her to be dead. Also, he should have insured that Romeo was informed what they were plotting to do before taking action. While I was reading, I became more and more irritated with Friar Lawrence. Speaking of characters that irritated me, Juliet’s father drove me up a wall! I could not stand him and the way he treated his daughter. He had a solid first impression, but with time it becomes clear that it was all just an act. He did not truly want Juliet to choose who she wanted to marry. Her father only wanted to let her believe that she could choose. I noticed from the other blogs I read, and from what I'm writing that this book causes its readers to be frustrated with almost every character. As I was reading I almost wanted to yell "don't do that!" to each one of them. I believe it is important to realize that Romeo and Juliet has the same plot as almost every romance movie we have today. The plot where two people meet fall in love as soon as they lay eyes on each other and the next day they are married. Most movies don't have the in-love couple kill themselves though. I am a chick flick fanatic but I do think it is clear that we idolize love at first sight. In movies, they don't show all the awkward dates or boring conversations about the weather. No one would watch the movie or care! It’s like when Romeo said "As daylight doth a lamp; her eye in heaven Would through the airy region stream so bright That birds would sing and think it were not night." He proclaims his love for Juliet and how beautiful she is in the "balcony scene." Although they knew each other for a whole 2 seconds. However it is clear that this is what we want to see or read about. Most people probably don't believe in love at first sight. I feel that it is almost a dream that everyone has to just experience love at first sight.