The Hound of the Baskervilles - Term Paper Example

The Use of Images and Diction in Creating Tone Doyle Arthur’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles” presents a story about an old noble family that has been faced by a challenge. There was a huge black hound-like beast that sort after and killed any member of the Baskerville family who went to live at the Baskerville estate. Sir Charles Baskerville is the latest victim reclaimed by the creature just before the story commence. Henry, who was to inherit the estate, was planning to move in. The story revolves around trying to find a solution against the mysterious creature, possibly by killing it.

The tone of this story varies considerably. Imagery and choice of words otherwise called diction have been employed to bring out the tones of the novel. A fearful tone prevails throughout the story. Dr Watson in his first report states that they are four strong men who are in a position to protect themselves in case of anything but confesses that he fears for the Stepletons who would be helpless in case of any attack. Watson and Sir Henry had expressed concern and even suggested that Perkins could go and sleep there to offer them protection but the Stepletons turned down the offer.

Characters in the story harbor a deep fear for the huge black hound-like beast. This is shown by the way the narrator describes the reaction of the characters whenever they come into contact with the beast. Doyle writes: “So paralyzed were we by the apparition that we allowed him to pass before we had recovered … Henry … hands raised in horror, glaring helplessly at the frightful thing which was hunting him down” (264). Beast is a highly scaring creature, thus this image creates a fearful tone.

The story starts in a patronizing tone. When Dr Watson and Mrs. Sherlock Holmes finds James Mortimer’s club in the Holmes’ house Mrs. Sherlock says: “… been in the habit of carrying this stick behind his master. Being a heavy stick the dog has held it tightly by the middle, and the marks of his teeth are very plainly visible’’ The two assumes a patronizing tone when discussing about Dr. James Mortimer .They refer to him as ‘’ the dog’’ and the subscription on hi club as the marks he left when he was carrying his master’s stick.

Optimistic tone is used in the better part of the story. In a discussion with Mr. Sherlock Holmes in the Northumberland Hotel, Dr Watson says that Holmes’ case is the most complicated of all the five hundred cases he had handled. However he goes on to point that there are several threads that would lead them to the truth. As much as they may follow the wrong thread at one point or the other, they would finally find the right one. In developing the plot of the novel and in depicting the relating the relationship between the characters, the author has widely used conversations among characters.

The author’s choice of words as the characters go about their conversation clearly portrays the attitude of the characters towards one another, and by extension gives a tone to the novel. The dialogue between Dr. Mortimer. And Sir Henry is very polite, thus giving a tone of politeness and civility to the novel. For instance, at Baskerville’s hall, Dr. Mortimer asks Sir Henry “You don't mind my driving straight home, Sir Henry? …My wife is expecting me. “and Sir Henry responds    "Surely you will stay and have some dinners?” (375).The use of titles Dr.

and Sir not only gives courteousness to the novel, but it also reflects an attitude of reverence between the characters. Doyle has therefore effectively created variation of tones throughout the novel. This has been achieved through the use of images and selective choice of words (diction). Through these images, one easily makes an inference on the attitudes of the characters toward one another and towards certain state of affairs. Works Cited Doyle, Arthur C. The Hound of the Baskervilles. [Electronic Copy].

Accessed at On 19 April, 2010.