[On writing more Sherlock Holmes stories.] ‘I don’t care…
““[On writing more Sherlock Holmes stories.] ‘I don’t care whether you do or not,’ said Bram. ‘But you will, eventually. He’s yours, till death do you part. Did you really think he was dead and gone when you wrote “The Final Problem”? I don’t think you did. I think you always knew he’d be back. But whenever you take up your pen and continue, heed my advice. Don’t bring him here. Don’t bring Sherlock Holmes into the electric light. Leave him in the mysterious and romantic flicker of the gas lamp. He won’t stand next to this, do you see? The glare would melt him away. He was more the man of our time than Oscar was. Or than we were. Leave him where he belongs, in the last days of our bygone century. Because in a hundred years, no one will care about me. Or you. Or Oscar. We stopped caring about Oscar years ago, and we were his bloody *friends.* No, what they’ll remember are the stories. They’ll remember Holmes. And Watson. And Dorian Gray.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author urges preserving Holmes' mystique by avoiding modernizing him, suggesting timeless characters thrive in their original era.
In simple terms: Keep classic characters true to their era.
Respect original storytelling.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- writing new stories
- adaptations
- fan fiction
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Should classic heroes evolve with society?
- How to balance nostalgia with innovation?
Modern updates may alienate new audiences seeking relevance.