Darwin’s theory began to be accepted in the Victorian world because he did a huge amount of research to make sure that there were no holes in his theory. This meant that, despite tackling the most sensitive subject at the time, God, he was taken seriously and people read his ideas and some influential men were convinced. Darwin attempted to destroy the myth of creation, which stated that the world was created in just six days, by God, with a seventh day of rest. Contradictory to this, Darwin’s Theory of Evolution stated that the world evolved over hundreds of millions of years. In addition to this, he claimed that everything has evolved from something else. For example, humans evolved from apes. Darwin coined the phrase ‘survival of the fittest,’ to describe his theory.
In The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sherlock Holmes seeks to unravel the truth about the hound that has been ‘haunting’ Baskerville Hall. He replaces the mystery of the hound with a clear explanation and conclusion. Though the inhabitants of the village only see one conclusion, that a supernatural hound is haunting the Hall, Holmes sees more than a single conclusion. Holmes investigates with a scientific eye, and is a firm believer that science, and his ‘clear and logical mind’ is able to solve the mystery of The Hound of the Baskervilles.
An instance of this in the novel is when Dr. Mortimer spends a great deal of time reciting the history of the myth. As a typical Victorian, Dr. Mortimer is inclined to believe the myth, whereas the scientific Holmes dismisses the tale as ‘interesting… to a collector of fairytales.’ Holmes’ attitude to the myth is made clear at once through his immediate response. Holmes obviously thinks that he is a more knowledgeable person than Dr. Mortimer, as the tone of his voice is very sarcastic. He thinks scientific methods can solve the myth. Sherlock Holmes destroys the myth of the hound by using a scientific method of only using ‘essential’ material and ignoring the beliefs of the majority, namely the Victorian people. His forensic methods show he is a detective, and the way he uses them show he is like a scientist. His use of induction and deduction, combined with Watson’s help, solve the testing problems at hand.
In The Hound of the Baskervilles, it is clear that science can be used for both good and evil purposes. Holmes uses his knowledge of science for the good of the people and never uses it to injure or cause hurt. In contrast to this, Stapleton uses his knowledge of science to create evil, in this case to ensure that he inherits the Baskerville fortune. Only a scientist, like Holmes or Stapleton, could work his way through the Grimpen Mire. This is why Stapleton can hide the hound in the mire, without being fearful that someone may find it. I believe that the Grimpen Mire is a metaphor of an equation or a scientific experiment; you have to work your way through each part to eventually reach the ending and the conclusion. Only a scientist would use this method and that is the reason why Holmes is able to discover where the hound is hidden.
The scientific revolution of the Victorian era is conveyed by Arthur Conan Doyle in The Hound of the Baskervilles. In the novel, Arthur Conan Doyle discusses phrenology in one scene with Dr. Mortimer. Mortimer discusses Phrenology with Holmes. Phrenology was a new scientific development - the study of the skull:
“I promise doctor, that you could tell the skull of a Negro from that of an Eskimo?”
Holmes has a number of interesting methods to help him dissolve the myth brought to him, and to help formulate a scientific conclusions, many of which involve new sciences like phrenology that I previously mentioned. Holmes’ scientific method begins with his intense concentration. Before Mortimer even arrives, we are able to see the first example of both Holmes’ methods and intense mental concentration. Before Holmes picks up Dr. Mortimer’s walking stick, he listens to Watson’s conclusions. He uses these as a basis for his thoughts and tells Watson;
‘You yourself are not luminous, but are a conductor of light.’
This quotation clearly shows that Holmes believes that he is luminous, and is able to show people the way to the truth, and that he believes that Watson is merely a conductor. This may mean that Watson can reach the truth, but only once Holmes has shown him the way to the answer. Although it is a very arrogant statement by Holmes, it is generally true.
Once Holmes has listened to Watson’s erroneous conclusions, he picks up the stick for himself, and he studies the stick in minute detail with the convex lens. He observes the teeth marks of the dog in the middle of the stick and comes to an immediate conclusion that the dog ‘is a terrier or a mastiff.’ Although this first conclusion is slightly wrong, Holmes realises this and just as he is about to suggest that it is a curly haired spaniel, Mortimer appears with the spaniel. This shows an extensive knowledge of dogs and the shape of the jaw, like a specialist scientist would have, meaning that Holmes has researched this useful subject before.
Another example of Holmes observing things in minute detail is when he listens to different parts of the story, and asks probing questions. An example of this is when Dr. Mortimer brings in the manuscript. Holmes listens to the whole story first, and does not interrupt to ask questions. However, as soon as Mortimer stops, Holmes begins his quick-fire questioning.
‘You saw this? ... And you said nothing? … How was it that no one else saw it? … There are many sheep dogs on the moor? … You say it was large?’
This quick fire questioning continues for over a page of the story. It shows that Holmes is gathering all of the information he needs for the next part of his method; his use of tools, especially Watson, to aid his investigations. In addition to this, in the latter part of the story, Holmes uses Watson as one of his tools for solving the myth. He sends Watson on an errand to Baskerville Hall to investigate the myth. Watson is used as a tool by Holmes, like a scientist uses his equipment. Holmes can be very manipulative and this is clever. Watson travels with Henry Baskerville to the Hall and writes letters back to Holmes. However, Holmes uses his initiative and camps nearby. He employs a boy to bring these letters to his camp along with supplies. By camping nearby, Holmes can get a picture of the situation inside the Hall, whilst travelling around to investigate places around the area. In a similar way to a referee in a match of football, Holmes stands back away from the action to observe the situation, and take an objective view. By detaching himself from the conversation he can come to a solid conclusion to solve the myth.
These methods are very effective. They enable Holmes to formulate a conclusion that in the end of the story, is proved to be correct. Sherlock Holmes is a professional detective investigating many puzzling crimes. The methods he employs to come to final conclusions demonstrate this, as in The Hound of the Baskervilles. Holmes ‘weighs up every particle of evidence,’ creates theories, and then balances them against each other. Finally, Holmes makes up his mind which points are of importance and which are not.
Like Darwin, and many scientists like him, Holmes believes that scientific methods are the way to the truth. Holmes doesn’t believe what the majority of people believe, but instead he finds the information out for himself, via logical thinking and clever gathering of intelligence. Holmes speaks acts and works just like a scientist, and appears to be a very clever man. Holmes is highly regarded by peers and colleagues – especially Watson – for his ‘clear and logical mind’ and his ability to make quick deductions.
Holmes’ calm and controlled manner, and the ability to recognize good and evil, are typical qualities of the people of the Victorian era. Victorians like Charles Dickens upheld family virtues and good overcoming bad, and Conan Doyle’s characters in The Hound of the Baskervilles also epitomize this way of thinking. Sherlock Holmes was always open to new ideas, such as phrenology, and was able to progress with these new ways of thinking to come to a conclusion. He often questioned established beliefs. However, the Victorians were very conservative and restrained. Like Darwin, Holmes would question these established beliefs. Although they though like this, with time, people began to trust these new theories and began to question myths and certain established practices. The Victorians began to believe in scientific theories, so their ways of thinking changed.
Jordan Dalby
