In previous Sherlock Holmes novels, the amateur, yet amazing detective was the main character and Watson only a companion, but in the “Hound of the Baskervilles,” Watson is the main character. Watson is a very important character in not just this book, but all of the others because he is the story’s narrator. We, the reader see all of the goings-on through Watson eyes. This is very important because the reader is then on the same level as Watson, so we are forced to believe him, making the story tenser; whereas if we saw the story through Holmes’ eyes, we would solve the mystery immediately and would not be led elsewhere. Watson is also at the level of the reader, so he also gives opinions and his thoughts while narrating the story. This also displays how important Watson is, because, once again, if Sherlock Holmes was the narrator, or the story was written in the third person, the reader would reach conclusions quickly, but with Watson, his thoughts and opinions are not factual, so we get lost and think about what Watson has said, instead of trying to solve the mystery. Watson is definitely the lynchpin of the story because he not only narrates the novel, but gives opinions to lighten the dark mood of the story, without him, the crime would be solved quicker, but would not be as interesting.
We know that Doctor John Watson is a person from the upper class immediately, as the first three words of the story are “Mr. Sherlock Holmes.” The “Mr.” that Watson puts before Sherlock’s name shows that he is upper class because people from the lower or middle class would address their friend by only their first or full name, not with the Mister in front. This also displays that Watson is very formal in his manner. The role of Watson in this first chapter is simply to set the scene for the reader. Yet, Watson uses direct speech when narrating. This technique makes the novel flow more, as it does not sound like a diary entry and involves the reader more. Watson does not just report on any goings on, even in the opening chapter “I” is used frequently. This shows that Watson is giving opinions because if he was not giving opinions and just facts or reporting on events, “I” would be unnecessary as only descriptions would be given. When Watson is narrating the story though, it seems like he is speaking to the reader: “He had never said as much before, and I have to admit that…” This phrase proves that he is on the same level as the reader because he is communicating with them.
Chapter 8 is the first report of Doctor Watson. In this chapter, Watson writes a letter to Sherlock Holmes telling his mentor about his findings and goings-on at Baskerville Hall. This type chapter is very important, not just in this novel but for any crime fiction novel because it gives both vital information and also expresses feelings and opinions towards the case. To begin with, Watson calls his friend “My Dear Holmes.” Once again this displays how he is from the upper class and also shows that he is very good friends with Holmes. In this chapter Watson shows his emotions by using “tragic” to describe what has happened. This proves that unlike his best friend, Watson has feelings and is not cold hearted in his manner. Watson also discusses his suspicions towards the case he is assigned to. In this report, even though Doctor Watson is talking to his mentor, Holmes, it seems as though he is writing his letter to the reader because of the use of “I.” This chapter is the best for showing that Conan Doyle has made the character of Watson the narrator due to the fact that in this chapter he shows both emotions and opinions. We the reader can then share these feelings because we have to believe what Watson says. We also share his thoughts and feelings because he is our eyes and both the reader and Watson are amateur detectives. This part of the novel is a prime example of how crime fiction works as it gives findings, but the findings are opinionated and could be red herrings, so the reader is mislead and the mystery starts again.
Chapter 10 is an extract from Watson’s diary, so it is a much more personal account than Chapter 8 which is a formal letter giving details and information to a fellow detective. This diary is also more opinionated and personal and private. Conan Doyle has written this chapter as an extract from a diary because it will help the reader understand more about the case as Watson expresses his feelings and thoughts, so the reader can relate more to Watson and think what he is thinking and feel what he is feeling. At the time that it was written, this will have made the reader feel safer and secure as they would have believed that they were solving the case with Holmes and Watson. In this chapter, Watson describes the setting, the weather and also what surrounding buildings look like. He also describes peoples’ movements. Also, when Watson is using direct speech to make the diary flow, he reveals that on the night of his death Sir Charles was meant to meet a woman. A twist in the tale this late on in the story creates more mystery, and this is exactly how a detective story works. Conan Doyle uses Watson diary entry to reveal this twist because Watson is only a sidekick and not a real detective, so the reader can try and solve the case, while if it was revealed with Holmes, the reader would not need to solve it. The use of Watson as a narrator involves the reader more.
Around the time that this book was written and published in the magazine “The Strand,” crime was high, so the writing of crime fiction was high to make people feel secure. “The Hound of the Baskervilles” is slightly different however, as instead of being with a professional detective, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson; two amateur detectives are the main characters. Still, the reader feels safe with Holmes. But in the “Hound of the Baskervilles,” a mere sidekick is the main detective. The reader however remains feeling secure, as Watson is the narrator. Watson is a vital part of the Sherlock Holmes novels because he shares feelings, opinions and thoughts with the reader; this makes the reader believe all that Watson says and does, but they can also sympathize with him and share all of his feelings. Without Doctor John Watson narrating the novels, they would not be the same as he is the readers’ eyes and ears, so without him, the reader could not be as involved in the story and would not solve the mystery like Sherlock Holmes!
