The Hound of Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle in a book that sticks to peoples minds for a long time, until one fell re-reading the book with the initial amazement for many occasions.
The story is around Sherlock Holmes who is the main character. Sherlock Holmes is presented as the hero in this story as well as the most popular character.
The author of the book portrays Holmes as a brilliant, targeted and intelligent character. Besides, Arthur describes Holmes as someone who can match reflection with immediate action.
Moreover he has the willing to fool as well as mislead others to his advantage.
The character is also seen as an antisocial person. “quoute” Contrastingly, Holmes appears to be charming and comes off as a morally upright person at the end of the story. “quoute”
Watson is seen as Holmes best friend. Despite being observant, Watson fails ability to identify Holmes imaginations including the analytical capacity.
Moreover, he worship his friend and apparently eager to do anything to please Holmes.
Despite Dr. Mortimer being a scientist, he is superstitious and accepts the legend of Baskervilles. The author reveals him as a person who sent Holmes to lead the mission of investigating the cause of Sir Charles death. Sir Charles is the lovable figure as his death inspired investigation. Moreover, he is superstitious. The murder took advantage of his belief to scare him to death. The plot of the story portrays Hugo as the deceased and wicked Baskerville. According to the tale, his wickedness haunted his future generation.
Mr. Franklands daughter Laura Lyons is a beautiful woman. According to the story, she was used in luring Charles hence ultimately causing his death.
Mr. Frankland serves as murder suspect portrait. However, Arthur describes him as an unknown identity. Frankland is a comedian who keeps everything entertaining and enjoyable.
Theme
According to the story, people blame the ghostly and fearsome legend that is believed to have haunted Devonshire family leading to the ultimate death of Sir Charles Baskerville.
Sir Charles Baskerville was the village hero leading to employment of services of Holmes to investigate the cause of his death. The story brings a variety of disputes as one enjoys reading the book. Moreover, the story has a hidden message that the author tactfully reveals at the end of the story. Dr. Watson engaged Holmes in this investigation matter after the discovery of his friend’s death.
The doctor himself believes in superstition despite being a scientist, as he doubted the hound legend as having haunted the Devonshire family leading to Charles death.
Watson accompanies Henry to the hall of the Baskervilles for investigation of the case. Moreover, Holmes is engaged to investigate the alternative cause of Sir Charles death.
The story in the novel brings various themes such as mystery and crime, as well as superstitious belief in the society. In the story, Holmes makes an observation when he sees Watson looking for the cane. He questions him on the significance of the cane and he had an idea of the owner. Afterward, the doctor arrives in the middle of the discussion during witch he presents various problems to Holmes.
Here, dr. Mortimer gives a history about the matter leading to existence of clues of Sir Charles death- the darling of the society.
The ghostly spirits haunted the family after the death of Hugo Baskerville. Accordingly, they doubt if such spirits haunted Charles and ultimately resulting in his death.
Henry Baskerville is believed to be the Baskervilles fortune inheritor.
Language
In the book the hound of Baskervilles, Conan Doyle uses exemplary writing techniques as revealed from his literary work. Some of the styles include the first person narration, a concept that has not widely been used by many authors.
Other tecniques include foreshadowing, symbolism and irony among others.
As the narrator, Dr. Watson uses the first person. Apparently, this style allows the author to unfold the narrative in a matter that provides some clues despite the lack of diligence of everything that the detective knows.
Secondly, Foreshadowing comes about in various instances to give clues to the mysteries revolving around the story. Some of these cases involve the warning notes to miss Stapleton as well as the Barrymore suspicious behaviour.
Thirdly, the irony is employed in the story. For example, it is ironical to suspect the “man of the tor” as being involved in the mystery where as holmes turns out to be the mysterious despite being a detective.
Ironical stapleton who had spent at least two years in learning safe methods of traveling via Grimpen mire ended up stuck in the mire after the escape from holmes.
Besides, symbolism is used in many instances to explain the central theme revolving around the story. For example, the skull size of Holmes is symbolic of his interllect level.
Additionaly, the baskervilles legend is symbolic of the superstitious belief within the society.