The Double Helix

Watson gives descriptions of other characters, but as the narrator, our impressions of him are inevitably more indirect. We learn a good deal from the way he narrates his story and interacts with others.

When the narrative begins, Watson is a 23-year-old microbiologist, clearly very talented, with big ambitions and dreams of scientific glory. He understands both his potential and the limits of his present knowledge. He is, at the time, studying as a post-doctoral researcher in Copenhagen, in the field of biochemistry. His fellowship is with Indiana University, where he completed his PhD with Salvador Luria.

Some of Watson’s most obvious traits are his quickness and directness, evident both in the way he writes and in the decisions he makes. In his presentation of others, he is frank and quick to form judgments. This makes for some interesting writing, as he captures personalities with a few broad and lively strokes. It also leaves him prone to judge incorrectly, something he acknowledges in the Preface.

His directnessis a crucial component of his scientific success. He sees immediately that his work in Copenhagen is going nowhere, quickly realizes the value of Wilkins’ work, and sets about finding a route to work on