The hound of the Baskervilles Essay Example for Free

The hound of the Baskervilles Essay This type of secrecy suggests that he didnt trust Watsons judgement or theory and decided to spy on him, but that is not the case he was merely getting a better perspective on the whole mystery, he felt he needed an unclouded judgement, un-tampered from everyones views. From his temporary residence he witnessed Mr Stapleton rush out of his house when he heard that Sir Henry was dead and the disappointment when he found out that it actually wasnt Sir Henry. This is interesting because most people would be relieved if a neighbour/friend was actually alive, but instead this shows Mr Stapleton has a hidden agenda/motive. No dont tell me that it is our friend Sir Henry! this line is really ironic as he believes that Sir Henry is the one enemy he has. Stapleton turned a ghastly face upon us, but by a supreme effort he had overcome his amazement and his disappointment. Holmes reveals some astounding news that Miss and Mr Stapleton are actually married and that he is a Baskerville. These family secrets bring more intrigue into the story. Making it more like real life as every family has something they dont share with the outside world. The suspense of the mystery has now been dissolved, but the suspense of how to catch the culprit is at its peak. Holmes being the secluded man he is keeps his plans to himself, but tells Sir Henry to dine at the Stapletons and to let them know that he intends to walk home. Holmes also has some more news: he and Watson will be returning to London. This seems slightly peculiar as you wonder why he would leave at such a crucial time. But again it is a cover; he wants to make the criminal feel un-pressured and more relaxed, so that he is more likely to leave some clues. Sir Henry dines at the Stapletons house, while outside Watson, Holmes, Mortimer and Lestrade (a resident policeman who has power of authority in that area), wait for Henry to leave. However they do not see Miss Stapleton, which could be a key variable in Holmes plan as well as the ever thickening fog that is drawing closer by the minute. As the moment draws nearer Watson seems to be growing more agitated, at one point demanding that they get Sir Henry out. However Holmes believes that he is not harm while at the house. Their next reactions are delayed as the fog has hindered their eyesight white fog It was drifting slowly in our direction, Holmes plan did not foresee this and it causes them to loose valuable time. The only sense they can rely on is sound, and the next thing they hear is the slavering and howling of a Hound. Holmes is quick on his feet and rushes to where the sound is coming from, with his pistol at his side. The others have trouble keeping up but manage to come to his aid, just in time to see a massive hound fall upon Sir Henry. The description of the hound is so vivid and detailed, that you can actually imagine every inch of it enormous coal black hound, but not such a hound as mortal eyes have ever seen fire burst from its open mouth, its eyes glowed with a smouldering glare. This particular description seems something out of a nightmare and immortal suggests that it cannot be killed. However the imagination plays tricks and can perceive different images from what they really are. They do manage to kill the hound with a couple of pistol shots, which suggests how strong the hound was seeing as it could withstand at least one shot. Sir Henry was badly hurt which wasnt something Holmes had wanted but nevertheless apologised for. Dr Mortimer announced that there was only superficial damage, but there may also be psychological damage from facing something that ferocious and shocking. Holmes and Watson go to Stapletons house but they are too late and he has disappeared out on to the moor. So they instead start a search for Miss Stapleton, they search the house until they find a locked door. Holmes barges through it which shows his strong masculine side and that he is capable both mentally and physically. Miss Stapleton is found tied and gagged with red weals from whip lashes, this shows that domestic violence was an occurrence then as it is now. Her first words are that of concern for Sir Henry which shows her emotions were genuine. Holmes searches for Stapleton but he is never found, that is sort of a cliff hanger as you dont know if he will strike again. But his hound is dead so he has no weapon, and also not even an expert like him would have been able to navigate his way through a bog at that time of night. Sherlock Holmes concludes another one of his cases with the wit and sharp thinking as always. But how he does it, most of the great detective fans know him so well, that they feel they have actually met him. It would therefore be presumptuous to try and define him, as many admirers may each have very different views about this legendary character. But you can compare Sherlock Holmes to many of the nowadays detectives as they have their personality shown through before we even get to know them, that is true for Holmes because the first we see of him is his sharp attitude and judgemental ways. For example, we can now see Dalziel and Pascoe on our screens. Dalziel being the Detective Superintendent is obviously the superior to his young sidekick Detective Inspector Pascoe, his mentor even. Dalziel is blunt-talking, politically incorrect and can be very intense at times. Compared to his subordinate Pascoe who is university educated and well mannered, they are complete opposites. A bit like Watson and Holmes, Holmes is more educated and has been in the trade longer, he also cuts straight to the point even if he does draw it out slightly. Watson is from a different era of education and treats people with a bit more respect, he is more compatible with other people, while Holmes is recluse from others. The reasons that we find detective stories so enthralling are that we enjoy playing the detective as well as watching the real one. It gives us a sense of power and a feeling that we are above others. It also gives us a chance to step into someone elses shoes. We find enrapturement for a while but then reality consumes us again and makes us realise that it will never happen, but it also gives us a small comfort that another offender has been caught although it is only a story, it gives us hope that people are out there helping others and protecting us from criminals. Those same beliefs have been carried from Victorian times to our time. And the fact that good almost always triumphs over evil. This makes Detective novels such as the Hound of the Baskervilles so enjoyable to read. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Arthur Conan Doyle section.