Colonel Herncastle Creates his Will

The image of the Colonel confirms the description of him in the novel. He is often described as “wicked” and “wretched”, and the image matches this description. His sunken eyes, frazzled hair and beard give him an ominous vibe. This further re-enforces the ominous feeling that the narrative creates about the Moonstone and the effect it will have on the Verinder house.

Other than matching the narrative, the image also creates a sense of the exotic by aligning the colonel with the Indians. This is done through the many animals in his room. The various animals in his room—such as cats, dogs and birds— make him seem like a man living among nature. The Indians are often described as heathenish and wild, because their way of living is more nature oriented than the English. By associating the colonel with the Indians, the reader would also attach the negative portrayal of the Indians on the colonel, among the already negative description provided by Franklin and Mr. Betteredge. 

The image also makes it clear that the colonel is an outsider to British society. Other than the animals, his room is clearly in poor condition, which is shown through the peeling paint on the walls. Like the Indians, the colonel is an outcast who lives among nature in “inferior” living conditions. Given the colonel’s ties to India, it is not surprising to see him portrayed as an exotic figure, despite the fact that he is British. By portraying the colonel as an exotic figure, the sensationalist aspects of The Moonstone get heightened, as this exoticism creates more intrigue and mystery in the novel.