In the history of detective stories, Sherlock Holmes and Miss Jane Marple remain as two of the most prominent figures. Focusing on the two detectives' images, personality traits, detective strategies as well as se...In the history of detective stories, Sherlock Holmes and Miss Jane Marple remain as two of the most prominent figures. Focusing on the two detectives' images, personality traits, detective strategies as well as settings of the stories, this study examines the grounds that magnetize readers.The purpose of this research is to inquire into readers' orientations to Sherlock Holmes and Miss Jane Marple, and to investigate the causes for their views. To fulfill that purpose, a questionnaire was designed and distributed. Sherlock Holmes and Miss Jane Marple prove themselves to be successful detectives. Both of them have distinct images and personality traits as well as plausible detective strategies. The settings, combining reality with imagination, also play a dispensable role. Besides, reasons given by students who disbelieve that they are real persons fail to convince.展开更多
文摘In the history of detective stories, Sherlock Holmes and Miss Jane Marple remain as two of the most prominent figures. Focusing on the two detectives' images, personality traits, detective strategies as well as settings of the stories, this study examines the grounds that magnetize readers.The purpose of this research is to inquire into readers' orientations to Sherlock Holmes and Miss Jane Marple, and to investigate the causes for their views. To fulfill that purpose, a questionnaire was designed and distributed. Sherlock Holmes and Miss Jane Marple prove themselves to be successful detectives. Both of them have distinct images and personality traits as well as plausible detective strategies. The settings, combining reality with imagination, also play a dispensable role. Besides, reasons given by students who disbelieve that they are real persons fail to convince.