Sherlock Holmes' "The hound of the baskervilles" - Watson's personality

In the report Watson wrote to Holmes concerning incidents surrounding Henry Baskervilles and the moor, his use of creative descriptive language revealed his romantic and imaginative feature. In contrast of Holmes, he was not mechanic, he always apply metaphors, similes, personifications and also some vivid adjectives to build up an atmosphere. “[The] God-forsaken corner of the world” referred to the quite isolated moor and this informal adjective gave the feeling of deserted more appealing. He admired the beauty of this enchanting land, he said, “The longer one stays here the more does the spirit of the moor sink into one’s soul, its vastness, and also its grim charm. When you are once upon its bosom, you have left all traces of modern England behind you……” It was such a fascinating example of personification and it showed his enthusiasm of the moor’s charisma. It made the reader actually enjoy his fanciful writing.

Stapleton Road Railway Junction

Stapleton/King Jag

English: Moscow, Smolensk Embankment. Sculptural c...

Besides, he was also very imaginative as seen through his romantic piece of writing. “…… if you were to see a skin-clad, hairy man crawl[ed] out from the low door, fitting a flint arrow on to the string of his bow……” This illustration was brought into the minds of readers deeply since it would not be the style of Holmes or anyone else, but only the imagination of Watson. Moreover, Watson described Miss Stapleton’s brother to be giving “the idea of hidden fires.” It was a total abstract and non-concrete description that once again revealed his romance. From this report to Holmes, Watson expressed his romantic and imaginative personality which could have been both an advantage and as well a disadvantage to him for being a detective, since imagination was no doubt useful, however it depended on whether it was the right time to apply.

Another thing noticeable in the report to Holmes was that Watson got carried off with the neighbours that he met and this showed that he was quite interested in people’s characteristics. He talked about the Stapletons abundantly for a paragraph which was quite not so necessary. His observations and assessments on them told it all. “……she is a very fascinating woman. There is something tropical and exotic about her which forms a singular contrast to her cool and unemotional brother.” He first talked about how Miss Stapleton’s loveliness attracted Mr. Henry Baskervilles, then, he started to get off this topic and shifted the focus onto her brother, “He has certainly a very marked influence over her, for I have seen her continually glance at him as she talked as if seeking approbation for what she said.” He was like studying on them and was so fascinated in them that even at the end he said, “You would find him an interesting study,” (referring to Mr. Stapleton). Watson was being so distracted to his neighbour-Ms. Stapleton that I now suspected if there was a reason concerning infatuation and fancying in it. Though Watson being carried off with people suggested that he was a sensitive person with good observation, it also implied that he wasn’t as qualified being a great detective as Holmes since he got distracted so easily and it may be an obstacle for Watson on the path to be a successful detective.

Doyle, C. Arthur. The hound of the Baskervilles. USA: Broadview press. 2006.