Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories of Sherlock Holmes subvert Victorian attitudes towards the poor by portraying criminals from various social classes, thereby challenging societal prejudices.

1. Diverse Criminal Profiles: Doyle’s depiction of criminals in the Sherlock Holmes stories spans different social strata. While some villains come from the upper classes (like Professor Moriarty), many are depicted as coming from the lower classes or impoverished backgrounds. This diversity of criminal profiles undermines the Victorian stereotype that crime is primarily a product of poverty or lower-class moral decay.
2. Complex Characters: Doyle creates complex characters among the lower classes who defy simplistic categorizations. For example, characters like John Clay in “The Red-Headed League” or Jefferson Hope in “A Study in Scarlet” have motives and backgrounds that go beyond their social status. This complexity challenges readers to reconsider their assumptions about criminality and social class.
3. Holmes’s Methodology: Sherlock Holmes himself approaches each case with impartiality and a focus on evidence rather than social status. His methodical approach and emphasis on logical deduction provide a counterpoint to the prejudiced assumptions often made about the working class by Victorian society.

In essence, Doyle’s portrayal of criminals in the Sherlock Holmes stories critiques societal prejudices against the working class by presenting a nuanced view of crime and criminals. By depicting characters from all walks of life, he challenges readers to question simplistic views of poverty and criminal behavior prevalent during the Victorian era.