Conan Doyle's excellent skills in imagery are evident in his description of Julia on page 174. He uses vivid language, such as `state of agitation', `drawn and grey' and `restless, frightened eyes' to build up a terrifying picture of this woman in the reader's mind. However, no author can maintain tension levels at a height throughout the whole story. There need to be moments of calm - a lull in the storm, Conan Doyle achieves this contrast admirably in his description of the journey from Waterloo Station through the Surrey countryside. The language used here is soft and delicate creating a mood of calm and beauty. We see this in phrases such as –
'fleecy clouds in the heavens' and `the pleasant smell of the moist earth'. Conan Doyle uses alliteration to create and build up the tension, a good example is seen when Helen says-
"The dense darkness which surrounds me"
This highlights her sense of confusion and foreboding. The use of the word `dense' shows how strongly she feels this.
Doyle again uses alliteration to create a similar effect when Helen says-
"A vague feeling of impending misfortune impressed me."
The word `impending' particularly builds up her sense of fear and disquiet. We sense a state of unease.
Conan Doyle also uses similes to heighten the tension. One example, which also includes alliteration, is seen on page 180.
Helen says-
"A clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had fallen."
This almost gives the reader a fright. We feel we can hear the crashing sound close by.
The following simile-
"Swaying to and fro like that of a drunkard.
Presents a terrifying picture of the figures movement.
"Metaphors are also used to very good effect by Conan Doyle. On page 182, Holmes interjects Helens narrative with the comment
"These are very deep waters,"
Holmes clearly sees this as a terrible situation and we can sense that he feels the problem is going to be very difficult to solve.
We can see on page 188 good use of a simile when Conan Doyle Describes the two curved wings of the building as "like the claws of a crab" We get a picture in our mind of the front of the building.
The words and phrases that are used in Watson's introduction such as 'I cannot recall any which represented more singular features than that which was associated with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Morran.' And 'but a promise of secrecy was made at the time, from which I have only freed during the last month….' From this we can see that this case was secrecy. This helps to build up mystery throughout the story.
Roylott was another important character in this story. Conan-Doyle describes him by saying 'so tall his hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway…deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high thin, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance of a fierce old bird of prey.' This first description of him gives us an impression that he is tall and somewhat eagle like. He is essential to help create suspense. Roylott is Helen and Julia Stoner's stepfather. He was a doctor and also had knowledge of exotic animals and owned a few too. '… The doctor kept a cheetah and a baboon. We had no feeling of security until our doors were locked.' This shows he has a keen interest for animals. Roylott is violent and aggressive. Sherlock Holmes was also an important character in order to build up suspense. He was a detective and helped Helen Stoner to investigate the cause of her sister, Julia's death. He helped to create suspense.
Jonathan Miller
