Holmes' Reputation (Motif)
Many of the cases come about in the first place not by Holmes' finding something interesting, but by people coming to him with cases because some acquaintance of theirs has been helped in the past by him. Some of the criminals too recognize whom they are dealing with.
Interview with the Culprit (Motif)
After deducing the identity of the culprit, Holmes usually invites them, without letting them know he knows their culpability, to his apartment in order to speak with them. There, he reveals his knowledge of what they have done and attempts to exercise a measure of his own justice with them.
Talent, Cleverness, and Justice (Motif)
Holmes is a sensible person and at the same time he is talented. The author describes and emphasizes his magnificent intellect. The most stunning feature is that Holmes can always evaluate his clients based on their appearance. He investigates crimes with a wet finger. It comes naturally to him. The second distinguishing feature of Sherlock is justice. He always tries to solve problems without the police and decides the fate of the wrongdoer himself.
Exotic Animals (Symbol)
In "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," the exotic animals, many of them dangerous, that Dr. Roylott had imported from the East represent his dark, threatening, and poisonous nature. The Speckled Band in particular and his use of it to murder his stepdaughter Julia endow his already imposing figure with a terrifying aspect.
Holmes' Interpreting Everyday Objects (Motif)
From the first scene in the first story onward, Holmes constantly impresses Watson, his clients, and the reader with his ability to put together an entire picture of a person's life and their doings just by a quick observation at their person and their personal effects.
