Themes are what drive a novel to completion and influence the author to write the story. Themes are the main and central idea of the novel and usually can be picked up on quickly. In Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Doyle expresses his themes in numerous ways, some of which are subtle, while others are more obvious. The themes in the novel include science versus superstition, appearance versus reality, and trust and betrayal. In Doyle’s time, forensics and criminology sciences were on the rise, proving many myths at the time false. In The Hound of the Baskervilles, some of the characters are easily persuaded by the hound’s appearance, while Sherlock Holmes stands firm in his scientific belief.
The main but subtle theme of The Hound of the Baskervilles is science versus superstition. The triumph and factual knowledge of science is represented by Sherlock Holmes, while the superstition is represented by the Baskerville curse. Sir Charles Baskerville is taken so much by the superstition that it ultimately leads him to his death: “Sir Charles Baskerville was so consumed by superstition that he is manipulated into an untimely death” (Kissane129). Sir Charles Baskerville is uptight due to the legend of the hound, and later is spooked to death when a beastly animal chases him through the moor at night. Holmes, in contrast, says from the beginning that there is a reasonable explanation for the occurrence: “Holmes’s sense of logic and reason, while evident in the way he handles cases, is also repeatedly pointed out by the narrator” (Kissane129). When Holmes is called to the case by Dr. Mortimer he immediately pushes all unrealistic elements aside and tags the case as strange. Even a man of science such as Dr. Mor...
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In addition to the atmosphere of decay, is the aura of mystery, sin, crime, guilt, and secrets within the whole novel. Firstly, is the mystery of the infamous hound. This all originates around Hugo Baskerville. He is supposedly killed by a demon hound late at night on the moor chasing after a woman. Ever since then, there has been suspicion surround the moor. So, when Sir Charles is killed, there is reason to believe this mysterious hound is behind it. Next, is the sin of the escaped convict. Since there is a prison nearby, an escaped convict is not too surprising. This convict is named the Notting Hill murderer. Sherlock Holmes himself even once worked on this case some. Then, we have the crime of Sir Charles Baskerville. As the baronet of the Baskerville Hall, he, of course, knows of this legend this legend that surrounds his family line. Already with a weak heart, Sir Charles dies from fright from an unknown source, who we later find out is Mr. Stapleton and his
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