The Final Problem by Arthus Conan Doyle was originally a part of the collection titled The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. It follows Holmes and Dr, Watson as they face Holmes’ archrival and nemesis, Moriarty. It remains impactful in the way it captures the intense rivalry between the mirror characters, revealing their final conflict.  

The Final Problem | Summary

The story begins with an anxious Sherlock Holmes visiting his friend and confidante, Dr. Watson, and tells him that his successful career and the many important cases have been very good for his bank balance and that he is considering retirement. However, he could not possibly retire for Professor Moriarty was still active. Watson asks who this person is, to which Holmes says that Moriarty is his perfect intellectual rival and the “Napolean of Crime”; he is a genius of crime who used to be a mathematics professor but the strain of crime ran in his blood. Moriarity’s vast network of criminals is a threat to society and Holmes has dedicated himself to dismantling it. 

While Holmes has set enough evidence to dismantle Moriarty’s gang, the professor turns up at 221B Baker Street one day, revealing that Holmes’ work has not been unnoticed by Moriarty. Holmes keeps a gun in his pockets for protection, but Moriarty threatens him to drop his evidence gathering right away. After three attempts on his life- including a cab almost running him down, a brick nearly falling on him and a mugger trying to make away with him- Holmes concocts a plan to escape Moriarty’s reach whilst the latter and his gang are arrested. That is why he visits Watson in the first place. 

Despite the dangers of the same, Watson readily agrees to travel with Holmes and asks his neighbor to look after his practice. After giving directions as to how he must reach Victoria Station the next day, Holmes departs. On the way to Victoria station, Watson has to change multiple cabs, and unknown to him, the second cab driver is Holmes’ brother, Mycroft in disguise. The pair get off at Canterbury, Holmes acknowledging that Moriarty could easily hire someone to follow them in disguise. They head to Newhaven, Dieppe and then Brussels and Strasbourg, where he receives a telegram saying all but Moriarty have been apprehended by the police and been captured. 

Thinking the journey is too dangerous for Watson, Holmes advises his friend to return to England, to which Watson immediately refuses. The duo travel to Switzerland, where they decide to visit the Reichenbach Falls. While they are walking up the falls, a Swiss boy comes with a note for Dr. Watson that a doctor is required to deal with an Englishwoman in the last stage of consumption and is not willing to see the Swiss doctor. Watson returns to the hotel and asks the Swiss boy to stay by Sherlock’s side. His journey back is long, and upon reaching the hotel he realizes that the story about the Englishwoman had only been a ruse to get Holmes alone. 

As Watson rushes back, there is no sign of Holmes. He notices two pairs of footprints leading up to the falls but none returning, but he finds a note under Holmes’ cigarette case which said that he knew that the letter from the hotel had been a ruse but he was willing to die if it meant the death of Moriarty as well. The Swiss police later find evidence of both Moriarty and Holmes in a final struggle, both plunging to their deaths in the Reichenbach Falls. The evidence that Holmes had gathered, however, is enough to see the end of Moriarty’s gang. 

The Final Problem | Analysis 

The Final Problem is set in 1891 and does not have any case for Holmes to solve, which is usually why he visits Watson in all of Doyle’s stories. Instead, the story introduces Holmes’ mirror personality and antagonist, a criminal mastermind named Professor Moriarty. 

Moriarty is Holmes’ ultimate nemesis, who he calls his “intellectual equal”. The story explores the clash between Holmes, the symbol of good and justice, and Moriarty, the embodiment of evil and criminality. Their struggle represents the eternal battle between law and chaos, order and anarchy. Holmes’s decision to fake his death and face Moriarty head-on demonstrates his selflessness and willingness to make personal sacrifices for the greater good. It highlights the heroic nature of his character and adds a poignant element to the story. 

The location adds a sense of danger and suspense to the story. The rugged landscape and the treacherous falls serve as a fitting backdrop for the final showdown between Holmes and Moriarty. The grandeur and perilous nature of the setting intensify the climactic events. Doyle’s decision to kill off Holmes in this story initially shocked and saddened readers. It created a powerful response, as fans mourned the loss of their beloved detective and pleaded for his return. This overwhelming reaction eventually led to Doyle bringing Holmes back in later works. Sherlock Holmes’ character made Doyle one of the best-paid writers of his day; he later mentioned that The Final Problem was his fourth favorite Sherlock Holmes work, among ten stories. 

The Final Problem | Character Sketch 

Sherlock Holmes

Holmes is portrayed as a brilliant and determined detective, willing to risk his life to protect society from Moriarty’s criminal network. His intellect, strategic thinking, and devotion to justice are showcased as he engages in a battle of wits with his formidable adversary.

Professor James Moriarty

Moriarty is depicted as Holmes’ ultimate nemesis, a criminal mastermind with an extensive reach. He is presented as an equal match for Holmes in intelligence and cunning, making their final confrontation all the more thrilling. Holmes gathers evidence against Moriarty and his gang which destroys them in the end, however, the former dies in the process in the story. 

Dr. Watson

Dr. Watson is the narrator of the story, and it is through his eyes that the reader experiences the events that lead up to the climax. Watson’s reaction to Holmes’ predicament is emotional and it is apparent that he deeply cares for and admires Holmes. 

In conclusion, The Final Problem is a gripping and emotionally charged story that explores the depths of Holmes’s character and his ultimate confrontation with his archenemy. It captures the essence of the Holmes series and has become an iconic piece of detective fiction, emphasizing the enduring appeal of these timeless characters.