(Click the themes infographic to download.)
Obviously, most of the respect in The Hound of the Baskervilles is shown to Holmes the Genius. Watson's a willing, eager audience, always quick to admire Holmes' skills when he's narrating their adventures together.
But Holmes isn't the only person in this novel to win respect: not only does Watson have great things to say about Sir Henry Baskerville, but he and Holmes also have a lot of esteem for Stapleton. Wha-? Respect for a man who uses a giant dog in a murder scheme? Absolutely. Holmes recognizes a pro when he sees one.
Questions About Respect
- What does Watson not admire about Holmes? How does he express these criticisms, and why do you think they appear in The Hound of the Baskervilles?
- How does Watson's admiration influence the characters you like or dislike in The Hound of the Baskervilles? How strongly do Watson's opinions guide you as a reader?
- When do characters besides Watson express admiration for other people in the book? Who do the other characters respect most?
Chew on This
As our primary narrator and as a central character in The Hound of the Baskervilles, Watson strongly influences our feelings about specific people in the novel.
Watson's rare criticisms of Holmes's personality only draw greater attention to the huge respect he has for Holmes.