The Portrayal of Women in The Hound of the Baskervilles Anonymous 11th Grade

Women in the nineteenth century were often considered less than men. Consequently, they depended on the men in their lives, usually their fathers or husbands. Nevertheless, there were women who did not have a husband or father to depend on, yet still had to trust the other men in their lives to take care of them. This dependency often ended in men betraying the women who trusted them. The Hound of the Baskervilles illustrates how women in the nineteenth century were taken advantage of, even when placed in very different situations.

Mrs. Barrymore, one of the workers in the Baskerville Mansion, portrays a woman in a good marriage. Her husband, Mr. Barrymore, refuses to reveal her secret to Sir Henry and Watson and in doing so, illustrated his loyalty to his wife (Doyle 151-152). Mrs. Barrymore, however, is still taken advantage of by the men in the book. Watson and Sir Henry ultimately take advantage of the information she gives them about Seldon (Doyle 151-152). Although they gave an excuse for using that information in order to chase Seldon through the moore (Doyle 168), the excuse is ultimately in vain after they agree to go along with the Barrymore’s plans (Doyle 169). Mr. Barrymore even admits after mentioning the subject...