Mystery

I've been thinking a great deal about mysteries lately. As part of my comp class I've re-read Sherlock Holmes, watched CSI and other shows that incorporate logic. I've also been sort of revisiting books and movies that I've seen or read previously, thinking about how they did what they did.

Figuring out how the protagonists use logic and how logic eventually wins out is interesting -- fun even, but what about the bigger picture. Why mysteries in the first place? Are mysteries simply a mental exercise and form of entertainment, like a puzzle or Rubic's cube? Or do mysteries have a higher purpose?

I have a theory that all genres of movies and books mean more to the audience than entertainment, escape, or getting a story. I feel that any movie or book teaches us something mentally and emotionally -- both with knowledge and understanding. Let's say you see a comedy. Most likely you will learn something you didn't know that you may use later. For instance, if you include "Carneys"(the odd, smelly subculture that works as geeks and callers at traveling carnivals) in a story, that story will be funnier than if you left out the Carney reference.

More than the intellectual gains though are the emotional ones. You laugh (or groan), you smile and feel better. Laughter and a sense of humor are essential to a healthy, happy laugh. A comedy gives you laughter and humor and lets you know what makes you laugh and smile. The same holds true for the other categories. Drama, fantasy, western, history, etc. -- they all have a two-fold purpose at a minimum.

Mysteries are a little different. Mysteries teach people how to deduce on their own. Often times, the lessons are learned without the person knowing. When you read a mystery, you experience the story, learn interesting facts, get the emotional plus of perhaps a little fear, excitement, and surprise all rolled into one. On a different level, you also get the tools and blueprint for solving mysteries on your own. Someone who read Encyclopedia Brown or The Hardy Boys when he was growing up was exposed to logic and steps of deduction. Plus, the added benefit of seeing the self-confidence that is generated when someone can figure things out and solve mysteries on his own.

Another part of it is that the reader identifies with the protagonist, who is usually smart, resourceful, self-confident, and brave in mysteries. The reader sees what can be accomplished by someone that uses these tools. Mysteries are amazing teachers, and often times, creators of logical, self-confident people.