The Hound of the Baskervilles, written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a novel which evidently demonstrates the sexual politics towards women found throughout Victorian literature. The women in this novel are portrayed as stereotypical characters of the time period. They hold jobs such as a typist and housekeeper, both very fitting for the time. Two women in this novel find themselves being manipulated by a men, one in particular, Mr. Stapleton, who uses these women as pawns in his political agenda. Mr. Stapleton demonstrates the amount of power men held over women during this time period. This novel depicts the different types of roles women played in society during the nineteenth century and focuses on three main characters, Eliza Barrymore, Laura Lyons and Beryl Garcia who is also known as Miss. Stapleton for a large majority of the novel.
Before these three ladies are introduced to the novel, the curse of the Baskervilles is presented to Sherlock Holmes and Watson by Dr. Mortimer. The tale revolves around Hugo Baskerville, a “wild, profane, and a godless man” (Doyle 12). Hugo decided that he was in love with a neighbor’s daughter, but she was aware of his rotten reputation and avoided him. This wouldn’t do for Hugo so one night, he went out to her house, while her
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This job provided her with a degree of financial independence but not nearly to the extent she needed in order to be free from her husband. Later in the novel, it is revealed that Laura has been manipulated by Mr. Stapleton who promised to marry her if she got a divorce from her husband, which is why she was seeking financial help from Sir Charles. This was all part of Mr. Stapleton’s plan to inherit the Baskerville Hall and kill off the other heirs to the estate. Mr. Stapleton used his power over Laura in order to obtain exactly what he wanted. He also used his power and manipulation tactics over Miss. Stapleton as
In his wickedly clever debut mystery, Alan Bradley introduces the one and only Flavia de Luce: a refreshingly precocious, sharp, and impertinent 11-year old heroine who goes through a bizarre maze of mystery and deception. Bradley designs Bishop’s Lacey, a 1950s village, Buckshaw, the de Luce’s crumbling Gothic mansion, and reproduces the hedges, gently rolling hills, and battered lanes of the countryside with explicit detail. Suspense mounts up as Flavia digs up long-buried secrets after the corpse of an ominous stranger emerges in the cucumber patch of her country estate. Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie features a plethora of unforeseen twists and turns; it is surely a rich literary delight.
In Charles Dickens “Great Expectations” it is made clear that the protagonist, Pip, is on his own hero journey similar to Joseph Campbell’s Hero archetype. Throughout the novel Pip completes each step in the hero’s journey, and comes full circle at the end. Initially Pip’s journey was driven by his desire to become a gentleman, and to view people only by their wealth and social status. However, as Pip’s journey continues, and after several challenges, Pip starts to realize that a person should be viewed by his character not their wealth. Pip’s journey may not fit every section of the Campbell archetype, but his overall journey parallels the archetype.
The world is plagued with an inseparable mix of good and evil. People make mistakes, but often start out with good intentions. Often times actions live in the grey zone, a combination of good intentions but bad outcomes. In Mark Haddon’s novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time there are many decisions that could be considered morally ambiguous. The story is told from the perspective of an autistic fifteen-year-old, Christopher Boone, who is investigating the death of his neighbor’s dog. His mother, Judy Boone supposedly died two years back, when in actuality she ran off to London with another man and, in turn, has been shut out of Christopher’s life. His father, Ed Boone hides the truth involving Christopher’s mother, pretending
“The peasants say it is the Hound of the Baskervilles calling for its prey. I’ve heard it once or twice before, but never quite so loud.” (Doyle) The terror of the ghost Hound that supposedly haunts the moor in the novel The Hound of the Baskervilles has intrigued audiences since the book’s publishing. However, as the times have changed since the writing of the book, the audience’s preferences have changed as well, bringing the need for change to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work.
Gender is an important aspect of literature in the historical contexts of gender roles and expectations. Through literature, readers are able to learn about the roles and experiences of women in specific historical time periods. Authors throughout history have represented women in different ways, and have created an understanding about the challenges women faced and overcame. Through Editha, by William Dean Howells, The Yellow Wallpaper, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, A New England Nun, by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, and Trifles, by Susan Glaspell, the roles and development of women are depicted through their emotions and the world around them.
The science book I read is The Maze Runner, by James Dashner. This is a science fiction book with interesting ideas for science readers. The story starts with a teen boy arrives at a grassy area by a type of elevator. He sees a large group of boys. The main leader is Alby.
Everybody is afraid of something. Fear rules a plethora of people’s lives, like the characters in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles. The novel is about Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigating the murder of Sir Charles Baskerville, the third to last heir to the Baskerville estate. He was known to be fearful of the hound because of what it was said to have done to Sir Hugo Baskerville 150 years earlier.
I just finished reading The Maze Runner by James Dashner. I believe this book falls in the genre of realistic fiction. “Dashner writes in a format that is simple and enjoyable for readers of any reading level. Maze runner and it's sequels paint a disturbing yet frighteningly believable view of the future. ”;a customer review on Amazon.
Throughout history women have always been considered lesser than men. Women were portrayed as property to men, nothing more. They were supposed to be seen and not heard, and were basically servants to their husbands and fathers. In order for women to even be considered more than property their father or spouse had to be established in the community or a man of high rank. Despite their subservient roles women in British literature have always been depicted as obedient or unruly, from William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, to Beowulf, to Christina Rossetti’s “Goblin Market.” For example, women have always been portrayed as being housewives, and care takers. Women were supposed to tend to the men and all of the house hold duties and chores; however some women broke away from that stereotype. They became more and curious and aware of their worth, so they were viewed as temptresses or “rebels” against the social norm. Despite the fact that women have evolved throughout history, British literature has always characterized women in two different lights, one being obedient and submissive and another being powerful and strong willed.
These women authors have served as an eye-opener for the readers, both men and women alike, in the past, and hopefully still in the present. (There are still cultures in the world today, where women are treated as unfairly as women were treated in the prior centuries). These women authors have impacted a male dominated society into reflecting on of the unfairness imposed upon women. Through their writings, each of these women authors who existed during that masochistic Victorian era, risked criticism and retribution. Each author ignored convention a...
Bachelors, such as Watson, Holmes, and the Baskervilles, populate the world within Hound like a common denominator, but women are often interrupting or hindering men in that representation. The daughter of the yeoman interrupts Hugo Baskerville’s company of men during their “nightly custom” when she disobeys his will and escapes, setting forth a chain of events that causes several murders (14). Mr. Stapleton disguises himself as a bachelor in order to “offer [Laura Lyons] marriage on condition that [she] could get a divorce”, since revealing his married condition would have been ineffective for his nefarious design (142). Miss Stapleton interrupts Henry Baskerville’s attention, which causes him “considerable perplexity and annoyance” and creates suspicion around her husband (84). It is also Miss Stapleton who is “ready to warn Sir Henry…again and again”, once more creating hindrances for Mr. Stapleton’s disguise (164).
In the novel, The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick, Dr. Watson, is confronted with an eerie mystery situated around the fabled Hound of the Baskervilles. They are challenged with many risks and in the end must unearth the mystery before it is too late. Throughout the enigma, Sir Arthur explores the theme of what can happen when one does or does not let themselves be ruled and dominated by fear.
The setting of The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is very important to the book’s story. In the beginning of the story, the setting is late 18th century London, where Sherlock Holmes and his colleague, John Watson live. Sherlock and John live in a small, yet upscale flat on Baker Street in London. Tobacco smoke often fills this apartment, and this is where he gets a lot of his thinking about theories and threads done for cases. The book itself states, “As I entered, however, my fears were set at rest, for it was the acrid fumes of strong coarse tobacco which took me by the throat and set me coughing.” This shows that while Sherlock is left alone to think, he smokes huge amounts of tobacco. The text also later states, “‘Yes, I have thought a good deal throughout the course of the day.’” When Watson leaves Sherlock to think about the case and consider theories, SHerlock sits alone in the flat, smokes tobacco, and solely focuses on the case at hand.
The main protagonist of the story, Elizabeth Bennet (nicknamed both Lizzy and Eliza), is the second daughter in the Bennet family. Second only to her elder sister in beauty, Elizabeth’s figure is said to be “light and pleasing,” with “dark eyes,” and “intelligent…expression” (24). At 20 years old, she is still creating her place in society. Known for her wit and playful nature, “Elizabeth is the soul of Pride and Prejudice, [she] reveals in her own person the very title qualities that she spots so easily” (“Pride and Prejudice”) in others. Her insightfulness often leads her to jump to conclusions and think herself above social demand. These tendencies lead her to be prejudice towards others; this is an essential characteristic of her role
221B Baker Street, is where a well-known detective resides. Sherlock Holmes, born in 1854, started his career as a private eye after college when a colleague’s father inspired him to do so. He worked alone for a number of years employing agents and using informants. Later on, he accepted a roommate Dr. Watson. Eventually, they become good friends and crime solving partners. Sherlock Holmes was not only an influential and respected detective, as well as, a good friend, but also a well-read fictional character in British literature.