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This post first appeared on my old blog.
It is safe to say that the Sherlock Holmes stories contain some attitudes and perspectives that are out of step with the modern era. That's inevitable in stories that are over 120 years old. I maintain that anything should be judged in the context of its time rather than a through a modern lens. I think it is dangerous to stand in judgement on a past you haven't lived. After all, in fifty years or less people will be judging our attitudes in much the same way. Things that even the most culturally sensitive say today will probably be viewed with something akin to contempt in a very short space of time.
I have stated that I endeavour to write "Doylean Holmes." I want my stories to come across, as much as possible, like the originals. So, you may wonder, how do I tread the line between that aim and modern sensibility?
The title of this post is the short answer to that question. If you insert modern attitudes into the stories they will, in my opinion, lose a level of authenticity. But you can omit the more unpalatable aspects. Hence - improvement by omission.
Another way to look at it is to imagine late 19th century Britain as a crate of building bricks. They are all one colour (let's say, red) and on each is written what it represents. In that crate will be a brick with "sexism" written on it. I simply choose not to use that brick when building my stories. The "wall" is still all one colour so it looks fitting.
If you were to add modern aspects to a Holmes story it would be like inserting a different coloured brick from the 21st century crate. It may have something very good written on it, but the different colour of it (say, blue) will stand out like a sore thumb.
Perhaps, in some cases, the use of an awkward red brick may be necessary. My previous post on cocaine use could be seen as a good example. You just need to try and use it appropriately, with a specific purpose, and not casually - just for effect.
That's my two pennies...