Sherlock Holmes and On the Origin of Species Comparison

The style of Sherlock Holmes is similar to a puzzle where the reader is able to attempt to solve the mystery. The stories are written for young adults and up and they are intended to stimulate the mind of the reader. The sentences are long and proper, but the text flows very well and is not too difficult to comprehend. Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species' is a scientific work discussing Charles Darwin's new theory of evolution. The book is both scientific and philosophical and is meant for a small group of scholars who are already familiar with the science of naturalism. While one is meant for many people and is entertaining and the other is scientific and not written for everyday people, they both share an aspect of mystery.

"When a species with an extraordinarily developed organ has become the parent of many modified descendants—which on our view must be a very slow process, requiring a long lapse of time—in this case, natural selection has succeeded in giving a fixed character to the organ, in however extraordinary a manner it may have been developed" (Darwin 198).

Darwin's description of his findings is detailed and truly explains his work. He has clearly done much research on modified organs and evolution. Sherlock Holmes, similar to Darwin, explains each mystery using details, deduction, and hard evidence. 

"We know that he did not come through the door, the window, or the chimney. We also know that he could not have been concealed in the room, as there is no concealment possible. When, then, did he come?” “He came through the hole in the roof!” I cried. (Conan-Doyle 131). 

Sherlock Holmes eliminates impossible options to reveal the only other possibility, which must be the truth. Darwin does this with research and science instead of evidence from a crime scene. While the content of both authors are very different, the style is remarkably similar. They both are intended for people desiring to learn. They use facts and evidence to prove something and reflect their findings using long proper sentences full with information.