The Hound Of The Baskervilles

Many people choose friends because they have common interests and they enjoy each other’s company. Friends benefit from each other. They depend on each other’s strengths and they are often willing to overlook any existing differences. The commonly understood idea of friendship makes it difficult for readers to understand the existing friendship between Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John Watson. Doyle’s representation of their friendship in The Hound of the Baskervilles is fascinating since the two are separated for a long period in the novel. The kind of friendship that exists between the two friends is at most peculiar. It is one sided in nature because one seems to give more than he gets. The two friends are different in many respects yet …show more content…
He is mostly presented as an insensitive and egotistical person especially in the way he treats Watson. For instance, in the very first scene of the novel after Watson comes to certain conclusions Sherlock says, “I am afraid, my dear Watson, that most of your conclusions were erroneous. When I said that you stimulated me I meant, to be frank, that in noting your fallacies I was occasionally guided towards the truth. Not that you are entirely wrong in this instance” (Doyle). Holmes does not have any other friends other than Watson. However, this does not seem to bother him. In fact, he does not even do anything to strengthen the friendship. Watson has a different personality. He pleasures in the adventures of Holmes and he is more sensitive towards people’s feelings. He has a genuine interest in his friend and he enjoys spending time with him. Watson is often amazed at Holmes’ observation and intelligence and he does not hide this …show more content…
Watson is happy when Holmes praises him and acknowledges his efforts. For instance, when Sherlock explains that Sir Watson will be protecting Henry he states “If my friend would undertake it there is no man who is better worth having at your side when you are in a tight place. No one can say so more confidently than I” (Doyle). Yet he seems ignorant or immune to his sarcasm. It is clear that Watson admires his friend and he is loyal to him. However, Holmes does not reciprocate this. He does not seem to be appreciative of Watson as a friend and neither does he trust him. This does not mean that Holmes does not recognize Watson’s value. Holmes tells Sir Henry that Watson is the best man to have at someone’s side when he is in a tight place. This shows that Holmes values Watson even though he might lack an emotional attachment. Holmes depends on Watson’s admiration to boost his ego. He admits to Watson that he often makes better decisions by observing his poorer observations. In the novel, Holmes hide himself from Watson and this gives him a chance to collect more evidence concerning the case. In the text Watson says, "But why keep me in the dark”? (Doyle). Sherlock then replies, "For you to know could not have helped us and might possibly have led to my discovery. You would have wished to tell me something, or in your kindness you would have brought