"Autism" like "Sociopathy" (or in any way you can call it... it changes every few years °-°'') is rather complex. I see more Sherlock as having a disorder of the autistic spectrum (which is not only Asparger, because you can have some autistic traits even withouth the "entire" disorder) because sociopaths don't have emotions. Jim is a definitive sociopath in Sherlock, and he doesn't have any emotion save "bored" and "excited". Sociopaths are also completely amoral (obviously). Holmes, in any incarnation (and I would be very sad if they don't put it in Sherlock, really) has strong moral principles, and shows feeling (towards Watson mostly, but also occasionally clients, Lestrade, Mycroft, Mrs Hudson and others). Even in Sherlock he often show emotion like sadness (the scene in which Sebastian says everybody in Uni hated him is the first that come into my mind). The "signs" of Asparger you cite are to be treated with extreme care. Sherloc, the BBC one, also shows sign of sensory overload (the bank). Still, I don't see Sherlock Holmes as an Aspier or Autistic neither. He is far too manipulative to fit the definition. Some Aspies can read people very well. Some have an uncanny ability to read non-verbal clues also. Yet, an Autistic person doesn't manipulate other people, even when she/he "could".
In my opinion, Sherlock Holmes is not neurotipical, and might have some austic traits (might). But I also think his "peculiarities" are things he carefully cultivate to keep people at bay, as well. Our world is less forgiving of "eccentricities" than Victorian Society was :( we have this nasty habit to NEED to give a word or a label to person, often in their face (no victorian gentleman would tell to somebody face "you are a freak". They might have called him arrogant behind his back, but that was it). :)
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Date: 2010-09-27 01:17 pm (UTC)I see more Sherlock as having a disorder of the autistic spectrum (which is not only Asparger, because you can have some autistic traits even withouth the "entire" disorder) because sociopaths don't have emotions. Jim is a definitive sociopath in Sherlock, and he doesn't have any emotion save "bored" and "excited". Sociopaths are also completely amoral (obviously). Holmes, in any incarnation (and I would be very sad if they don't put it in Sherlock, really) has strong moral principles, and shows feeling (towards Watson mostly, but also occasionally clients, Lestrade, Mycroft, Mrs Hudson and others).
Even in Sherlock he often show emotion like sadness (the scene in which Sebastian says everybody in Uni hated him is the first that come into my mind).
The "signs" of Asparger you cite are to be treated with extreme care.
Sherloc, the BBC one, also shows sign of sensory overload (the bank).
Still, I don't see Sherlock Holmes as an Aspier or Autistic neither. He is far too manipulative to fit the definition. Some Aspies can read people very well. Some have an uncanny ability to read non-verbal clues also. Yet, an Autistic person doesn't manipulate other people, even when she/he "could".
In my opinion, Sherlock Holmes is not neurotipical, and might have some austic traits (might). But I also think his "peculiarities" are things he carefully cultivate to keep people at bay, as well. Our world is less forgiving of "eccentricities" than Victorian Society was :( we have this nasty habit to NEED to give a word or a label to person, often in their face (no victorian gentleman would tell to somebody face "you are a freak". They might have called him arrogant behind his back, but that was it).
:)