HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

1. Why did Doyle choose Watson to narrate Hound instead of having Holmes tell the
story himself? What are the benefits and drawbacks of doing it this way?
Doyle uses Watson as a narrator for two key reasons. In the first place, Watson is not as intuitive
as Sherlock Holmes. In this sense, he allows the reader to join him as he attempts to live up to
the master's standards. By contrast, if Sherlock Holmes were telling the story, we would have
little opportunity to solve the mystery ourselves: witness, for example, Holmes' various and
sundry revelations of the truth, which preclude our participation by effectively beating us to the
punch.
The second reason Doyle uses Watson as a narrator is that it allows for the pace he is looking for.
Even if Holmes' character can give us a chance now and then by keeping his conclusions to
himself, he is still too quick a thinker to take on the onerous task of relating all the facts in detail.
Only a slow-witted lackey like Watson is fit for the job. When Holmes' character does appear, he
serves more as a catalyst for the action in the story, bringing things to a quick and exciting
climax.
At the same time that Hound was written, Gothic fiction, which used supernatural themes, was
extremely popular. Doyle himself was a spiritualist. How does the novel handle the possibility of
supernatural occurrences?
The supernatural plays a major role in The Hound of the Baskervilles. Doyle uses it on multiple
occasions in service of his plotline and in dialogue with other themes.
As far as plot goes, Doyle takes full advantage of the excitement, and power of a Gothic-style
mystery-an ancient curse, and a common plotline, with two dead bodies at the hands of possibly
a supernatural beast. At the same time, however, he evinces a strong faith, at least in Holmes, of
a logical, rational explanation for even the most mysterious occurrences.
Thematically, the supernatural ties together questions of class, which run throughout the novel.
Superstition is linked to weakness (as with the infirm Sir Charles), but most prominently with
lower class status. In this sense, it is interesting that Doyle regularly refers to the superstitious
commoners but only rarely lets us meet them first hand.
2. How do Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle handle class differences?
Both Holmes and Doyle come from a very specific and presumably similar cultural milieu in
which gave privileges to the educated white male and denigrated virtually every other kind of
human experience. Though they relied on and even fostered what might be called a space for
only men, they almost certainly had no time for homosexuals. Though they relied on the lower
classes to fetch them things and rummage through their garbage, they took little account of them
or their dignity either. Two arguments can be made: one, that the prejudices of the past cannot be
judged by the standards of our current cultural moment and two, that Holmes and Doyle were
racist and sexist.
It probably makes the most sense to take the middle road, to situate classisms and racisms in
their appropriate cultural context, while at the same time insisting on their inappropriateness in
our modern world.
3.
4. Why does Holmes get involved in this case in the first place?
5. How do images of modernity interact with mystical legends of the past?

6. Why does Doyle seem so intent on creating men-only spaces (Holmes and Watson,
and, in the end, Henry and Mortimer)?
Hound of The Baskervilles Study Guide
Chapter 1
1. Who is the narrator?
2. From what object did Watson and Holmes learn about James Mortimer? What
clues did it provide?
3. What did Holmes deduce from the clues on the stick?
4. How did Mortimer inadvertently insult Holmes?
Chapter 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What was Dr. Mortimer's relationship with Sir Charles Baskerville?

What did the manuscript dated 1742 say?
What were the circumstances of Sir Charles Baskerville's death?
Who was Charles Baskerville's next of kin?
What were the "private facts" Dr. Mortimer told Holmes?

Chapter 3
1. Why had no one else seen the footprints of the hound?
2. Describe the creature on the moor that several people had seen prior to Charles'
death.
3. What did Dr. Mortimer want of Holmes?
4. Who were Charles' other kinsmen?
5. What advice did Holmes give Mortimer?
6. What was Holmes' theory about Charles' death?
Chapter 4
1. Henry Baskerville received a note at the Northumberland Hotel. What was the
message?
2. What did Holmes deduce from the message?
3. What had Henry lost at the hotel?
4. Why did Holmes follow Henry Baskerville and Dr. Mortimer?
5. Who did Holmes see in the cab on Regent Street?
Chapter 5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Why did Holmes want to look at the hotel register, and what did he find?
Why was Holmes glad Sir Henry decided to go to Baskerville Hall?
Why did Holmes send a telegraph to Barrymore?
Who went to stay with Sir Henry at Baskerville Hall? Why?
What were the "three broken threads"?

Chapter 6
1.
2.
3.
4.

What people did Holmes want Watson especially to study?

Why was there a mounted soldier along the road by the moor?
Why did Mr. and Mrs. Barrymore want to leave Baskerville Hall?
What sound did Watson hear in the middle of the night?

Chapter 7
1. About what did Mr. Barrymore lie?
2. Why did Watson go to Grimpen? What did he find out there?
3. Who ran up behind Watson on the road from Grimpen to Baskerville Hall?

4. Identify Merripit House.

5. What bad place did Stapleton claim to be able to cross?
6. What strange sound did Watson hear in the moor while at Merripit House with
Stapleton? What explanations did Stapleton give for the sound?
8. What warning did Stapleton's sister mistakenly give to Watson?
Chapter 8
1. Watson said his "popularity would soon suffer" if he were to carry out Holmes'
orders to the letter. Why?
2. What did Watson tell Holmes about Frankland?
3. What strange event did Watson witness in the middle of the night?
Chapter 9
1. What did Watson discover about the window Barrymore had looked out? What
conclusion did he draw?
2. What did Watson witness from the hill?
3. What explanation did Stapleton give for his behavior towards his sister and
Henry?
4. What explanation did Mr. and Mrs. Barrymore give for Mr. Barrymore's late-night
visits to the west window?
5. Why did Watson and Sir Henry venture out onto the moor?
6. What sound did Watson and Henry hear when they were out on the moor looking
for Selden?
Chapter 10
1. Why did Sir Henry agree not to pursue Selden anymore?
2. What additional information did Barrymore give Mr. Watson?
3. Who was "L.L."?
4. What useful information about the "other man on the moor" did Barrymore give
Watson?
Chapter 11
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

How did Watson persuade Laura Lyons to answer his questions?

Why did Laura Lyons write to Sir Charles seeking a meeting?
Why didn't Laura keep her appointment with Sir Charles?
What good information did Watson get from Frankland on his day of celebration?
Who was the "Man on the Tor"?

Chapter 12
1. How did Holmes know Watson was inside the dwelling?
2. Who was Miss Stapleton?
3. Mrs. Stapleton deceived Henry (among others). Who did Mr. Stapleton deceive
about his marital status?
4. Whose death did Holmes and Watson witness on the moor?
Chapter 13
1.
2.
3.
4.

Why didn't Watson and Holmes have Stapleton arrested after Selden's death?
Why did Holmes find the portrait of Hugo Baskerville so interesting?
What motive did Stapleton have for killing Charles and Henry?
How did Holmes get Laura Lyons to divulge all that she knew?

Chapter 14
1. Who did Watson see at Merripit House? Who was missing?

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

What unexpected problem caused trouble for Holmes' plan?

What surprised Holmes and Watson?
What happened to the "Hound of the Baskervilles"?
What made the hound appear to have a flaming mouth?
Who did Holmes and Watson find in the upper floor bedroom of Merripit House?
What help did Mrs. Stapleton offer?
What happened to Mr. Stapleton?
What did they find at the mine?

Chapter 15
What was disclosed in Chapter 15?
1. From what point of view is Hound of the Baskervilles written? What advantages
did using that point of view give the author?
2. If you were to rewrite Hound of the Baskervilles as a play, where would you start
and end each act? Explain why.
3. Where is the climax of the story? Explain your choice.
4. What are the main conflicts in the novel? Are they all resolved? If so, how? If not,
why not?
Critical
5. What was the single most important piece of evidence uncovered by Watson and
Holmes? Support your choice.
6. Are the characters' actions believably motivated? Explain why or why not.
7. Explain the importance of the setting in Hound of the Baskervilles. Could this
story have been set in a different time and place and still have the same effect?
8. Characterize Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's style of writing. How does it contribute to
the value of the novel?
9. Was the character of Laura Lyons necessary to the story? What did her character
contribute?
10. Are the characters in Hound of the Baskervilles stereotypes? If so, explain why
Sir Arthur Conan
Doyle used stereotypes. If not, explain how the characters merit individuality.
11. What was Frankland's importance in the story?
12. How did Stapleton keep from being discovered for so long?
13. Why didn't Holmes tell Henry or Watson that he was at the moor?
14. Compare and contrast Watson and Holmes.
15. In what ways did Sir Arthur Conan Doyle attempt to make the story authentic?
Do his devices work?
16. Explain why Watson is the best person to use as a narrator for this story.
17. What kind of a man was Sir Henry Baskerville? Describe his character.
18. Explain the relationships between these people: Laura Lyons/ Mr. Stapleton, Sir
Henry/ Mr.
Stapleton, Hugo/ Sir Henry, Sir Henry/ Beryl, Sir Charles/ Sir Henry, Sir Charles/ Mr.
Stapleton, and the Barrymores/ Selden.
19. What was Dr. Mortimer's function as a character in the story?
20. Who in the story believed the legend, and who did not?
21. Compare Laura Lyons, Beryl Stapleton and Mrs. Barrymore.
22. What elements of gothic fiction are present in The Hound of the Baskervilles?
23. What important events occur on the moor itself? Why?
24. What is the purpose of chapter 15? Does it add anything to the story? Does it
add anything to the structure of the story?
25. Give a brief overview of the structure of the story.
Personal Response
26. What are "supernatural powers"? Do you believe in them? If you were Sir Henry,
would you have gone to Baskerville Hall and the moor?
27. What makes The Hound of the Baskervilles a great detective/ mystery novel?
28. Did you enjoy reading this story? Why or why not?

29. Have you read other detective fiction or mysteries? If so, how do they compare
to Hound?
30. Would you like to be a detective? Why or why not?
Composition
Frederick Busch said, "For this is the single Sherlock Holmes adventure in which
Holmes does not dominate--central though he may be. This is the story, and
landscape, in which Holmes becomes part of the tale. In The Hound of the
Baskervilles, it is the tale's turn to wag the detective." Explain Mr. Busch's
statement using examples from the book.
Themes
Solving a murder and preventing another is the major theme, which can then be
expanded into the themes of crime, protection, and detection. In the novel, crime is
executed by evil (or, as it is believed, supernatural) forces, especially in the form of
Stapleton. Driven by a desire for money and power, he is willing to dehumanize
those around him to the same state as his specimens. Selden is another, smaller
example of crime. He has committed murder as well but for various reasons he does
not seem as bad, thus eluding that there are different layers of crime. Holmess
main role in the story is protect good from evil; that is why he has been hired in the
first place, to ensure Sir Henrys safety from the Baskerville curse. He is also
concerned with Watson, inquiring several times to make sure that his revolver is
close at hand. One of the most dramatic moments for the theme of protection
comes when Watson and Holmes hear the hound pursuing Selden and then, seeing
the distorted body, mistake it for Sir Henry. Holmes is understandably distraught at
the thought of his client dead, knowing that with that the case will be considered a
failure even if they catch Stapleton. By Holmess occupation and the nature of the
book, it is clear that detection will be an important theme. It also includes the
juxtaposition and overlapping of crime and science, and, to a lesser degree, family
lines. The former can be seen primarily in the characters of Holmes, a detective who
must be aware of the world as much as any scientist, and Stapleton, a naturalist
who committed murder. Family lines play a role because it is the realization of the
connection between Stapleton and Sir Henry through bloodlines that provides the
last of the information needed to figure out the case (motive).
Mood
The phrase gloom and doom can be aptly applied to the mood of the novel. The
Hall seems a depressing place from the start and the moor in general offers little to
combat those feelings with the marshy land, rain, and fog. There is also the threat
of the hound, whose occasional cries and sightings instill an unnerving fear in those
around. In the beginning of the book, there is also a sense that Holmes might not be
able to solve the case. When his attempts at getting further information are foiled
and he himself admits that it is a worthy opponent, the mystery seems
overwhelming. However, as Holmes gets a stronger and stronger hold on the case,
the main state of emotion is that of hurriedness, the need to solve the case before
Stapleton acts again.
Literary/Historical Information
The major historical force behind Conan Doyles beliefs and the novel is the
Spiritualism movement. Throughout the case, everyone, except for Holmes, comes
to think, at least for some time, that the hound is supernatural. The closest Holmes
himself comes is when he says at the start of the case that while he has previously
dealt with evil, taking it on like this, might prove to be more than he can handle. It is
not a supernatural force in the end though, interesting since the scientific Conan
Doyle (like Dr. Mortimer) believed in Spiritualism.

Several other historical aspects of the novel include the emphasis on lineage, the
emphasis on money and power, the contrast between rural and urban life, and the
increasingly important role of science. While many of these were not new features
of life at the time, the Industrial Revolution had done much to bring them out,
especially the feelings of dehumanization associated with the pursuit of money.
Symbolism/Motifs/Symbols
The Hound
The hound that haunts the Baskerville family because of a disreputable ancestor
primarily represents Stapleton. He tracks down and kills his relatives, as a result of
his ancestor, Rodger Baskerville (from whom he inherited not only a claim in the
Baskerville line but also his personality). The Barrymores have a hound of their own
in a way in Selden the convict. Like the hound, he also lives out on the moor, has a
wild appearance, a glow associated with him (candlelight instead of phosphorous),
and is also dead by the end of the story.
Family Portraits
The family portrait of Hugo that enables Holmes to figure out the motive symbolizes
the connection between past and present. The Hall itself has more modern additions
attached to the old ones, and on the moor, there are huts from the time of Neolithic
man not far from the houses of the people living now (at the time of the case). It is
also representative of the Baskerville inheritance. Aside from the estate and title,
there is also the curse. Sir Charles, and Sir Henry to a slightly lesser extent, lived in
fear of the hound, because they were descendents. Stapleton got his looks and
personality from Hugo Baskerville as well as his father.
The Moor
The surrounding of the moor compliments the atmosphere of gloom and doom that
permeates throughout the story; it would take away much to have the setting in a
sunny, rolling field instead. Besides being essential to the mood, the moor also
lends itself to the plot, providing sufficient hiding places for Holmes and the hound,
and taking care of Stapleton. Moorland or moor is a type of habitat found in upland
areas, characterized by low growing vegetation on acidic soils. Moorland nowadays
generally means uncultivated hill land (such as Dartmoor in South West England),
but the Anglo-Saxon mr also refers to low-lying wetlands (such as Sedgemoor, )
Red Herring
A classic of the mystery/detective genre, the red herring throws us off the right trail.
In Hound, the largest red herring is the convict. After all, who better to pin a murder
on than a convicted murderer!
Questions for Essay and Discussion
1. How does Doyle use mood, setting, and tone to make the novel more interesting?
2. Explain in what way Watson could be considered a foil in the work.
3. Are the characters in The Hound of the Baskervilles round or flat? Give examples
to support your argument.
4. The tone of the book changes as the characters approach Baskerville Hall.
Describe the change and find a passage that represents the attitude that the
characters have toward 5. Why does Doyle choose to have the story narrated by Dr.
Watson?
6. Using examples from the story, describe how Sherlock Holmes uses his scientific
method 7. What is the social class of the characters in this story? What can you tell
about Doyles attitude toward the social class issues of his day?
8. Write a character analysis essay comparing and contrasting the two main
characters in the novel, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

9. Explain why Doyles series of mystery novels featuring Sherlock Holmes stand out
from all other mystery novels and have become classic works of literature.
10. What is the theme of novel?
11. Discuss how Sherlock Holmes manner of solving problems has become a
literary clich.
12. How is Doyles attitude toward superstition and legend demonstrated through
the characters and events in the novel?

Chapter 1
VOCaBUlarY
anthropological related to the study of humans
astutely keenly, shrewdly
benevolence kindness
bulbous-headed round-tipped
convex outwardly curved
dabbler a casual worker
fallacies incorrect assumptions
incredulously unbelievable
inferences conclusions
reversion a reversal to a previous condition
supraorbital above the eyes; the forehead
1. What does the discussion of the walking stick reveal about the relationship
between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson?
STUDY GUIDE
The Hound of the Baskervilles STUDENT COPY
Chapter 5
VOCaBUlarY
foil a sword fighting maneuver; counteraction
inexplicable unexplainable
invalid injured or bedridden due to an illness
residue the remainder
toff a gentleman, dandy
venerable elderly, patriarchal
1. How does Holmes determine that the spy is not staying at the same hotel as Sir
Henry?
2. Why is Sir Henry angry when Holmes and Watson arrive at the hotel?
3. Why does Frankland invite Watson to celebrate with him?
4. What information does Frankland say he is withholding from the authorities?
5. Describe what Frankland sees on the moor that convinces him that the convict is
still out there. Why does this interest Watson?
6. What surprising discovery does Watson make about the man on the moor?
Chapter 15
VOCaBUlarY
atrocious horrible, evil
bogie not real, an imaginary evil
consumptive having tuberculosis
ingenious clever, inventive
water-mark a pressure design
1. Who was Stapleton? Why did no one know that he was a Baskerville?
2. Who was the spy with the black beard that Holmes and Watson saw in London?
Plot Summary:

Chapters 1: Dr. Watson starts the tale with a prime example of Sherlock Holmes
methods by discovering what kind of client they have from a walking stick that the
client had accidentally left behind. The client, Dr. Mortimer, is a young country
doctor who is concerned about his home area due to the death of the Lord of
Baskerville Hall, Sir Charles, in very dubious circumstances.
As a friend of Sir
Charles he was privy to the fears of Sir Charles that added to questionable fate in
which he met his end and could not be brought to the police.
Chapter 2: Dr. Mortimer brings with him a family legend or story of The Curse of
the Baskervilles. It is the tale of the horrific behavior of one Lord of Baskerville
Hall, Hugo Baskerville, hundreds of years ago towards a young woman of the moor.
She escaped and as he chased after her, he traded his soul to have this woman that
night. As Sir Hugo chased the girl he was chased and eventually killed for his many
indiscretions on the moor by a Hell Hound. And it is said that if any unrighteous
Baskerville is found on the moor as night, he too will be stricken by the Hound. Sir
Charles, who was very kind and well loved, was found dead from a heart-attack. He
was found on the moor at night with paw prints not far away.
Chapters 3-4: Dr. Mortimer has presented this to Sherlock Holmes with the desire for
help as to what to do with the next heir of Baskerville Hall, Sir Henry, who arrives
that day from America, since besides the print, several people had stated that they
had seen a ghost hound on the moor before that night. The next morning when
Sherlock Holmes meets Sir Henry they go over the tale and discuss the odd
incidents of a stolen boot that morning and an anonymous warning of danger. As
they leave Sherlock follows Sir Henry and Dr. Mortimer, he discovers that they are
being followed by a cunning man who got away from Mr. Holmes.
Chapters 5-6: The next morning Holmes and Watson visit Sir Henry in the hotel and
find the pursuer is not staying in the same hotel, another boot stolen, and then a
final decision is made that Sir Henry will go down to Baskerville Hall with Dr.
Mortimer and Dr. Watson as company and to help solve this queer mystery. To try
and discover who was following Sir Henry, Holmes sends a telegram to check that it
was not the servants, the Barrymores (It wasnt.), another to the cab company to
speak to the driver of the man who was following Sir Henry (He had no useful
information, and thinks he drove Sherlock Holmes himself.), and sends a lad to try
and find the newspaper from which the warning message was clipped. The trip to
Baskerville Hall is uneventful. There is however an escaped convict in Dartmoor and
the house itself is gloomy and adds to the unwelcome atmosphere of the situation,
and there was a weeping woman in the night.
Chapter 7: Watson discovers the weeping came from Mrs. Barrymore, even though
her husband denied it, and that Sherlock Holmes sent did not prove anything. On
his way home from this excursion, Watson meets the neighbors, the Stapletons. Mr.
Stapleton is a naturalist who lives with his sister and is very friendly and introduces
the Great Grimpen Mire and its dangers for anyone besides himself. His sister
assumes Watson is Sir Henry and warns him to leave for he is in danger and then
hides this behavior from her brother.
Chapters 8-9: Watsons reports to Sherlock Holmes: Concern hovers about the
escaped convict. A relationship begins to develop between Sir Henry and Ms.
Stapleton. A neighbor, Mr. Frankland, is introduced as obsessed with lawsuits.
Barrymore is confronted about the telegram and makes light of it, but is spied at a
window with a candle in the middle of the night. Sir Henry proposes to Ms. Stapleton
and is surprised by an explosive reaction by Mr. Stapleton, that he semi-explains as
being in shock. Sir Henry and Watson follow Barrymore to the window and realize
that he is signaling the escaped convict who is Mrs. Barrymores brother. They go
after him on the moor and see him, but do not catch him.
Chapters 10-11: Barrymore explains how convict will be gone soon and tells of a
letter Sir Charles received after his death from one L.L. in Coombe Tracey that spoke
of a meeting at the gate at 10 oclock on the night Sir Charles died. Watson
discovers L.L. is Laura Lyons who is Franklins daughter and all on her own due to an
unwise marriage, and that there is another man out on the moor besides the
convict. Watson meets with Laura Lyons learns that she received financial help from

Sir Charles at times, and meets the man on the moor: the one and only Sherlock
Holmes.
Chapters 12-13: Holmes has been staying on the moor doing his own investigations,
and receiving Watsons reports. They hear the hound and the screams of terror
from a man. They come across a spectral dog and a dead body they think is Sir
Henry, but turns out to be the convict. Stapleton is there, but they have no proof
that he is responsible. Holmes sees family portraits of Baskervilles. Holmes tell Sir
Henry to go to dinner at Stapletons alone and walk home across the moor and calls
upon Laura Lyons and finds she got Sir Charles out on the night of his death for
Stapleton. Stapletons are actually a married couple pretending otherwise for
devious purposes.
Chapters 14-15: Scotland Yard Detective LeStrade comes down from London, and
he, Holmes, and Watson stake out the walk home from the Stapletons house to
Baskerville Hall on the moor. They kill the hound that is chasing Sir Henry as he
returns home. Stapleton disappears over the moor and is never heard from again.
Stapletons real name was Vandeleur and he was a descendent of Baskerville and
would have inherited if Sir Charles and Sir Henry died. He used a real hound and
trained it to be vicious and kept it on the moor to hide it. To recover from the
adventure, Sir Henry and Dr. Mortimer are going to take a trip around Europe, but all
is well.
Themes and Issues:
Natural and supernatural; truth and fantasy
This book begins with the question of how Sir Charles died and whether it be from a
natural cause or as he himself would have believed from a spectral hound brought
on by a supernatural curse on his family. Sherlock Holmes himself is very skeptical
of the possibility of a supernatural answer, but believes that someone is playing of
the superstitions and fears of those in Dartmoor to his benefit. He therefore sends
Watson off to investigate. The superstition seems catching though as Watson hears
weeping in the night and odd cries on the moor multiple times, but it becomes clear
with the help of Sherlock Holmes, Miss Stapleton, and Laura Lyons that all the
events could be explained in a natural and logical fashion if a little imaginative on
the part of Mr. Stapleton to have come up with all of this. This question of natural
causes and supernatural causes, however, leads the reader to examine a larger
question in the form of truth. What is truth and how do we determine what it is?
There are multiple times we wonder about truth. For example when Barrymore is
spied at the window with a candle, readers wonder if it is possible that he could be
the mastermind behind all of this, or when Miss Stapleton warns Dr. Watson to leave
at once readers are prompted to wonder what she could know that would give her
such motivation to speak, but such restraint as to not explain herself. And finally we
must wonder about the truth of any of Mr. Stapletons actions as we discover that is
a false name; he is actually married to the woman he calls sister; and that he is
courting a woman who is unable to get a divorce to use her. Was there anything he
did that was not a lie? Readers must grapple with these questions and then look at
the same questions in their own lives and see where they too and learn to be better
understanding of what is truth and what is fantasy.
Classism and hierarchy
These characters entire lives are dictated due to social class and where they fall in
the hierarchy. It is unthinkable that Mr. Stapleton could object to Sir Henry marrying
his sister since Sir Henry has a title, wealth, and behaves appropriately, which is
why his reaction seems so odd. It is common for a wealthy man, like Sir Charles, to
give aid to a single woman in need, like Laura Lyons, without anyone thinking that
there is an anterior motive behind his actions, but it would be questionable still to
be alone with her at night on the moor. It would get the Barrymores fired if they
were to take advantage of their situation in the Baskerville Hall as they do to help
out Mrs. Barrymores brother. And finally it is seen that those of the upper classes
like Sir Henry are able to take it easy and do almost as they please and for example

go on holiday when things become too hard for them to handle as he does at the
very end take a trip on the continent to revive his spirits after the events of this
tale.
The Destructive Power of Greed
It is impossible not to realize the tragedy when one hears of the death of Sir Charles
as he was such a good man trying to do so many great things, and as you get to
know Sir Henry, thought that he too may be killed is horrendous all for the sake of
money. The greed of Stapleton leads to the death of several, two women being
scorned and in the end his own demise. It is not profitable to try and gain what is
not rightfully yours through trickery and deceit.
Setting:
The Hound of the Baskervilles is set in two different places during this tale. It
begins in London and then moves to the country, an area called Dartmoor. These
are two very different locations and have to very different purposes and ways to
understand them with the story.
London: The story begins in London and must is a perfect place to begin the
confusion of a mystery. As London is a very large and constantly moving full of so
many people and possibilities it is the mirroring the possibilities of what could be
the answer to the mystery. It also makes it quite the challenge to find one person in
millions, the man following Sir Henry and Dr. Mortimer. Students must recognize
that a big city provides a wonderful place to hide and add confusion.
Dartmoor/Devonshire: We then move to Dartmoor, the country home of the
Baskerville family that immediately makes the landscape part of the mystery and
mood of the whole tale. It is a desolate land with very few people, limiting who
could be the culprit, but at the same time the land is so lonely and dangerous that
one does not know what could be possible, even the supernatural. The land of the
moor that looks quaint and intriguing but where one wrong step can be your death
as one wild pony discovers in the tale. This fact of the terrain translates to the
solution of the mystery; one wrong step in the investigation will lead to the failure of
the task and the tragic death of another good man. Students must realize that this
land is full of dangers as well as beauties that can trap someone.
Point of View/Narrative Voice:
The Hound of the Baskervilles is written in first person narration, but not by the
detective, by his right hand companion, Dr. Watson. Even though he changes from
his memories to copying letters he wrote at the time, he is the only perspective that
is presented to the reader. This gives readers the opportunity to try and solve the
mystery on their own, but also limits their knowledge as Sherlock Holmes has
greater observation skills and connections.
Characterizations:
Sherlock Holmes: The eccentric detective who works on facts and makes deeper
and more correct conclusions than any other of his day. He switches between an
almost comatose state of laziness when not working on a case to an almost
unhealthy overactive energy when he is on an intriguing case.
Sherlock Holmes waved our strange visitor into a chair. You are an enthusiast in
your line of thought, I perceive, sir, as I am in mine, said he. I observe from your
forefinger that you make your own cigarettes. Have no hesitation in lighting one.
(p. 17)
Dr. Watson: The faithful physician who has gained an interest in mystery through is
roommate, Sherlock Holmes. He is intelligent, but limited in connectivity of his
observations, but he is always willing to act and aid Holmes in his work and is the
unofficial biographer and writer of all of the mysteries that Holmes solves. Holmes

stated, 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. (p. 70)
Sir Henry Baskerville: The heir to Baskerville Hall and nephew of Sir Charles, he
grew up in America and gained a fortune. He is brave, stubborn, and honorable. He
is looking for the good in many but has little patience with what he perceives as
wrong or ridiculous, but by the end he too is worn out and downtrodden by all that
has happened. I feel that the money should go with the title and estate. That was
my poor uncles idea. How is the owner going to restore the glories of the
Baskervilles if he has not money enough to keep up the property? House, land, and
dollars must go together. (p. 69)
Sir Charles Baskerville: The head of Baskerville Hall at the beginning of our story.
Superstitious and truly believing in the family curse, he is scared to death because
of his weak health. A philanthropist who has great plans for the area that cannot
occur is Sir Henry does not move to the hall and continue it. He was a strongminded man, sir, shrewd, practical, and as unimaginative as I am myself. Yet he
took this document very seriously, and his mind was prepared for just such an end
as did eventually overtake him. (p. 20)
Sir Hugo Baskerville: The cause of the curse of the Baskervilles. He is the sinful
man who traded his soul to have a woman who did not want him. He is the first
victim of the Hound. he was a most wild, profane, and godless man. (p. 21)
Dr. Mortimer: The local physician and friend of both Sir Charles and later Sir Henry.
He discovers the connection of the death and the curse and brings it to Sherlock
Holmes attention. A young fellow under thirty, amiable, unambitious, absentminded, and the possessor of a favorite dog. (p. 13)
Mr. Jack Stapleton: The scheming and conniving neighbor who appears all
friendliness, but is the lost ancestor of Baskerville Hall who will inherit after Sir
Henry. He creates a live version of the Hound of the Baskervilles to scare to death
or kill the baronets and pretends to be bachelor living with his sister enjoying his
naturalist lifestyle. Very clever to even challenge Sherlock Holmes great mind. I
tell you, Watson, this time we have a foeman who is worthy of our steel. Ive been
checkmated in London. I can only wish you better luck in Devonshire. But Im not
easy in my mind about it. (p. 77)
Miss Stapleon: The supposed sister of Mr. Stapleton, but actually his wife. She is
truly in love with him and will do almost anything to help him, short of murder. She
is the one who gives all the warnings of danger to Dr. Watson and Sir Henry. I
cannot explain. She spoke in a low, eager voice with a curious lisp in her utterance.
But for Gods sake do what I ask you. Go back and never set foot upon the moor
again. (p. 104)
Mr. John Barrymore and Mrs. Eliza Barrymore: The servants of Baskerville Hall
and their family have been for a great deal of time. They are good workers, but also
have the unfortunate problem of the wifes brother being an escaped convict in the
area and trying to help him get to a different continent gets them into some
difficulty with the new lord, Sir Henry. They have looked after the Hall for four
generations now. So far as I know, he and his wife are as respectable a couple as
any in the county. (p. 68) His passion is for the British law, and he has spent a
large fortune in litigation. He fights for the mere pleasure of fighting and is equally
ready to take up either side of a question, so that it is no wonder that he has found
it a costly amusement. (p. 116)
Laura Lyons: The disowned daughter of Mr. Frankland due to an imprudent
marriage. She is alone and unable to get a divorce and a recipient of Sir Charles
charity. She is courted by Mr. Stapleton and used to get Sir Charles at an opportune
place for his death. There was something subtly wrong with the face, some
coarseness of expression, some hardness, perhaps, of the eye, some looseness of
lip which marred its perfect beauty. (p. 161)
The Convict: The little brother of Mrs. Barrymore who hides on the moor and is one
more mystery to solve, until he is killed by the hound because he is wearing Sir
Henrys clothes. I remembered the case well, on account of the peculiar ferocity
of the crime and the wanton brutality which marked all the actions of the assassin.
(p. 84)

Mr. Frankland: A neighbor of Baskerville Hall who spends all his time suing people
and trying to find way to win court cases that he feels are opportune. He is nosy
enough to discover there is a man on the moor and tells Dr. Watson.
SHORT ANSWER STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS - Hound of the Baskervilles
Chapter 1
1. Who is the narrator?
Dr. Watson, Holmes' assistant, is the narrator.
2. From what object did Watson and Holmes learn about James Mortimer? What
clues did it provide?
They looked at the walking stick. It had a silver band which said, "To James
MortimerM.R.C.S. from his friends of the C. C. H. 1884." The stick was well worn and
it had toothmarks in the middle.
3. What did Holmes deduce from the clues on the stick?
Dr. Mortimer was "a young fellow under thirty, amiable, unambitious, absentminded, and the possessor of a favourite dog," which was larger than a terrier and
smaller than a mastiff.
4. How did Mortimer inadvertently insult Holmes?
Mortimer called him the "second highest expert in Europe"; Holmes obviously
thought of himself as the best.
Chapter 2
1. What was Dr. Mortimer's relationship with Sir Charles Baskerville?
Mortimer was Sir Charles' friend and medical attendant.
2. What did the manuscript dated 1742 say?
In the manuscript was the story of Hugo Baskerville who apparently kidnaped a
maiden who apparently escaped before his plans were completed. He swore to give
his body and soul to the Powers of Evil if he could catch her. He set his hounds on
the maiden's trail and went riding after her. Those who followed him found the
maiden dead of fright and exhaustion, and a "foul thing, a great black beast . . .
larger than any hound that ever mortal eye had rested upon tearing out Hugh's
throat. The manuscript further told of other sudden, bloody and mysterious deaths
in the Baskerville family and warned that the Baskerville sons should not cross the
moor at night because of the hound that plagued the family.
3. What were the circumstances of Sir Charles Baskerville's death?
He went for his nightly walk down yew alley of Baskerville Hall. He had stood at the
gate to the moor for some time. His body was found at the end of the alley. The
immediate cause of death was heart failure.
4. Who was Charles Baskerville's next of kin?
Mr. Henry Baskerville, the son of Charles' younger brother was the next of kin.
5. What were the "private facts" Dr. Mortimer told Holmes?
a. Sir Charles had taken the legend to heart and was obviously under stress because
of the legend.
b. Mortimer had seen a large black animal on the moor. (He thought it was a calf,
but Charles thought it was a hound and he was greatly affected.)
c. There were no other footprints except Barrymore's on the gravel.
d. Charles' features were convulsed with strong emotion when he died.
e. Mortimer saw footprints of a gigantic hound twenty yards from Sir Charles body.
Chapter 3
1. Why had no one else seen the footprints of the hound?
They were twenty yards from the body. No one thought to look that far away for
evidence.

2. Describe the creature on the moor that several people had seen prior to Charles'
death. ". . . it was a huge creature, luminous, ghastly and spectral."
3. What did Dr. Mortimer want of Holmes?
He wanted Holmes' advice about whether or not he should advise Henry Baskerville
to stay at Baskerville Hall.
4. Who were Charles' other kinsmen?
Charles was the eldest of three brothers. The second brother, the father of Henry,
died young. The third brother, Rodger, was the black sheep of the family. He looked
like the family portrait of Hugo. Rodger fled to Central America where he died of
yellow fever in 1876.
5. What advice did Holmes give Mortimer?
He told him to bring Henry Baskerville to Baker Street in the morning. This would
give Holmes time to consider all the facts he had received.
6. What was Holmes' theory about Charles' death?
Charles had gone out for his walk, waited to meet someone by the gate, saw
something or someone that frightened him out of his wits, and ran for his life. His
heart failed him from the shock and exhaustion.
Chapter 4
1. Henry Baskerville received a note at the Northumberland Hotel. What was the
message?
"As you value your life or your reason keep away from the moor."
2. What did Holmes deduce from the message?
The letter was composed by an educated person who wished to pose as an
uneducated one. The writing might be known or come to be known to Henry. The
composer of the message was in a hurry so as not to be interrupted or discovered.
The address had been written in a hotel.
3. What had Henry lost at the hotel?
A boot had been misplaced or stolen.
4. Why did Holmes follow Henry Baskerville and Dr. Mortimer?
He wanted to find out if they were being followed.
5. Who did Holmes see in the cab on Regent Street?
He saw a man with a bushy black beard and piercing eyes apparently following Sir
Henry and Dr. Mortimer.
Chapter 5
1. Why did Holmes want to look at the hotel register, and what did he find?
He wanted to see who checked into the hotel after Sir Henry. He was thinking that
one of the later guests may have been the person following Henry, but the hotel
clerk knew the other guests well and did away with Holmes' theory.
2. Why was Holmes glad Sir Henry decided to go to Baskerville Hall?
The person following Henry would be easier to find away from the populated city.
3. Why did Holmes send a telegraph to Barrymore?
He wanted to verify that Barrymore was indeed at Baskerville Hall and not in
London. It would prove that Barrymore was not the spy.
4. Who went to stay with Sir Henry at Baskerville Hall? Why?

Mr. Watson went to stay with Henry to help protect him and to relay information to
Holmes, who could not leave London.
5. What were the "three broken threads"?
a. Barrymore was at Baskerville Hall, so he was not the spy.
b. Cartwright could not find the Times page at any hotel.
c. The cab driver could give no useful information about the spy's identity.
Chapter 6
1. What people did Holmes want Watson especially to study?
He especially wanted Watson to study the Barrymores, the groom, Dr. and Mrs.
Mortimer, Mr. Stapleton and his sister, Mr. Frankland, and a few other neighbors.
2. Why was there a mounted soldier along the road by the moor?
Selden, the Notting Hill murderer, had escaped from Princetown.
3. Why did Mr. and Mrs. Barrymore want to leave Baskerville Hall?
They were both very much attached to Sir Charles and his death gave them a great
shock. They feared that they would never again be easy in their minds at Baskerville
Hall.
4. What sound did Watson hear in the middle of the night?
"It was the sob of a woman, the muffled, strangling gasp of one who is torn by an
uncontrollable sorrow."
Chapter 7
1. About what did Mr. Barrymore lie?
He said that his wife had not been crying, but Watson noticed her red and swollen
eyes.
2. Why did Watson go to Grimpen? What did he find out there?
He went to Grimpen to see the postmaster to make sure the telegram had indeed
been delivered into the hands of Mr. Barrymore. He found out that the telegram had
not been delivered directly to Mr. Barrymore. It was, therefore, impossible to know
for sure whether or not Mr. Barrymore had been in London spying.
3. Who ran up behind Watson on the road from Grimpen to Baskerville Hall?
Mr. Stapleton did.
4. Identify Merripit House.
Merripit House was Stapleton's home on the moor.
5. What bad place did Stapleton claim to be able to cross?
He said he could cross Grimpen Mire.
6. What strange sound did Watson hear in the moor while at Merripit House with
Stapleton? What
explanations did Stapleton give for the sound?
Watson heard a long, low moan that swelled into a deep roar and sank back to a
murmur. Stapleton said some peasants think the noise is the Hound of the
Baskervilles calling for its prey. He also offered more scientific explanations that the
noise was coming from the mud settling or water rising in the bog, or that the noise
was made by a rare bird.
8. What warning did Stapleton's sister mistakenly give to Watson?
She told him to go back to London and never to set foot on the moor again. She
thought Watson was Sir Henry.
Chapter 8
1. Watson said his "popularity would soon suffer" if he were to carry out Holmes'
orders to the letter.

Henry was becoming romantically interested in Stapleton's sister. Having Watson

along to escort Henry at all times would not give the couple any privacy.
2. What did Watson tell Holmes about Frankland?
He told Holmes that Frankland loved litigation, seemed a kindly, good-natured
person, was an amateur astronomer who was using his telescope upon the moor to
look for the escaped convict.
3. What strange event did Watson witness in the middle of the night?
Mr. Barrymore sneaked to one of the spare rooms. He put a candle and his face to
the window and looked out into the darkness for a few minutes, gave a deep groan,
extinguished the candle, and went back down the hall.
Chapter 9
1. What did Watson discover about the window Barrymore had looked out? What
conclusion did he draw?
The window had the best view of the moor. He decided Barrymore was looking for
someone or something on the moor.
2. What did Watson witness from the hill?
Henry met Stapleton's sister and they were having a conversation. Stapleton
appeared on the scene, had hot words with Sir Henry, and took his sister home.
3. What explanation did Stapleton give for his behavior towards his sister and
Henry?
He said that his sister was everything to him and that the thought of losing her was
terrible to him. Seeing Henry becoming attached to her gave him a shock. He had
acted rashly and was not responsible for what he said on the moor. He offered a
generous apology.
4. What explanation did Mr. and Mrs. Barrymore give for Mr. Barrymore's late-night
visits to the west window?
Mrs. Barrymore's brother, Selden, the escaped convict, was hiding in the moor. Mr.
Barrymore went to the window as a signal and looked in the moor for candlelight in
response. He then took food to the place where the candlelight was in the moor.
5. Why did Watson and Sir Henry venture out onto the moor?
They were going to catch Selden.
6. What sound did Watson and Henry hear when they were out on the moor looking
for Selden?
They heard the same moaning sound that Watson had heard from Stapleton's
house.
Chapter 10
1. Why did Sir Henry agree not to pursue Selden anymore?
The Barrymores assured him that Selden would be going to South America soon. He
would no longer make trouble in England, and he would not be a burden to the
taxpayers.
2. What additional information did Barrymore give Mr. Watson?
He told them that Sir Charles was going to meet someone with the initials "L.L." at
the gate on the evening of his death.
3. Who was "L.L."?
"L.L." was Laura Lyons, Frankland's daughter, who lived in Coombe Tracey. She had
married badly and had a broken relationship with her father. Sir Charles (and others)
had helped her to earn an honest living.

4. What useful information about the "other man on the moor" did Barrymore give
Watson?
He told Watson that Selden had said that the other man on the moor lived among
the old houses on the hillside.
Chapter 11
1. How did Watson persuade Laura Lyons to answer his questions?
He threatened a public scandal.
2. Why did Laura Lyons write to Sir Charles seeking a meeting?
She wanted to tell him the story of her persecution from her husband and to ask
him for money to meet certain expenses which would help insure her freedom and
happiness.
3. Why didn't Laura keep her appointment with Sir Charles?
Someone else had promised to give her the money after she wrote to Sir Charles
but before the meeting.
4. What good information did Watson get from Frankland on his day of celebration?
Frankland had located a man on the moor. Frankland thought it was the convict, but
Watson knew it was the man he had seen on the tor, the man for whom he was
looking.
5. Who was the "Man on the Tor"?
Holmes!
Chapter 12
1. How did Holmes know Watson was inside the dwelling?
He had seen Watson's cigarette stub marked "Bradley, Oxford Street."
2. Who was Miss Stapleton?
She was really Mrs. Stapleton.
3. Mrs. Stapleton deceived Henry (among others). Who did Mr. Stapleton deceive
about his marital status?
He deceived Laura Lyons.
4. Whose death did Holmes and Watson witness on the moor?
The convict, Selden, fell to his death.
Chapter 13
1. Why didn't Watson and Holmes have Stapleton arrested after Selden's death?
They had no proof of their suspicions.
2. Why did Holmes find the portrait of Hugo Baskerville so interesting?
The face was the same as the face of Stapleton. Stapleton was a Baskerville!
3. What motive did Stapleton have for killing Charles and Henry?
He wanted the entire estate for himself.
4. How did Holmes get Laura Lyons to divulge all that she knew?
He showed her evidence that Stapleton was married and had deceived her.
Chapter 14
1. Who did Watson see at Merripit House? Who was missing?
He saw Stapleton and Henry. Mrs. Stapleton was missing.
2. What unexpected problem caused trouble for Holmes' plan?
Fog rolled in causing limited visibility.

3. What surprised Holmes and Watson?

A huge black hound, just like the one described in the manuscript, was chasing
Henry.
4. What happened to the "Hound of the Baskervilles"?
Holmes shot and killed it.
5. What made the hound appear to have a flaming mouth?
A preparation of phosphorus was used on the dog's mouth.
6. Who did Holmes and Watson find in the upper floor bedroom of Merripit House?
They found Mrs. Stapleton.
7. What help did Mrs. Stapleton offer?
She took them to the place where her husband had gone, and she led them through
the mire.
8. What happened to Mr. Stapleton?
Apparently in his haste he had made a wrong step and had been swallowed up by
the mire.
9. What did they find at the mine?
They saw a staple and chain and the remains of bones the dog had chewed. Also,
they saw a skeleton with a tangle of brown hair, which they thought was Mortimer's
spaniel.
Chapter 15
What was disclosed in Chapter 15?
Holmes gave his summary of the Baskerville case.