Question

In this excerpt from The Life of Charlotte Brontë by Elizabeth Gaskell, what does the author mean by the sentence “The West Riding men are sleuth-hounds in pursuit of money”? The West Riding men are sleuth-hounds in pursuit of money. Miss Brontë related to my husband a curious instance illustrative of this eager desire for riches. A man that she knew, who was a small manufacturer, had engaged in many local speculations, which had always turned out well, and thereby rendered him a person of some wealth. The author personifies sleuth-hounds by comparing them to men of the West Riding area. The author compares the men from West Riding with animals, specifically hounds, by using hyperbole for comic effect. The author uses sarcasm to criticize the inability of men from West Riding to find anything. The author uses a metaphor to compare the West Riding men in their quest for money with hounds that pursue prey.

Answer 1

D. The author uses a metaphor to compare the West Riding men in their quest for money with hounds that pursue prey. 

When attempting to interpret the meaning of literature (be it a poem, drama, or story), the first thing to do is make sure you have a good understanding of the words being used. In this excerpt what we immediately see is that there is a comparison being made between sleuth hounds and men. What are sleuth hounds? Sleuth hounds are bloodhounds that are frequently used when hunting game or in detective work like when hunting an escaped criminal or crime suspect. These dogs are often unrelenting and will not cease until they find what is they are hunting. That said, the author (by means of metaphor) is communicating that “West Riding men” are money focused and will stop at nothing until they get it.

Answer 2

This is a metaphor that likens the west riding men to sleuth-hounds, or, as they're better known, bloodhounds. bloodhounds are known for their determination and their extraordinary ability to track by scent.