The Hound Of The Baskervilles
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was born on the 22 May 1859 and died on the 7 July 1930. Conan was originally a given name, but Doyle used it as part of his surname in his later years. He was a Scottish author, most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes; these are generally considered a major innovation in the field of crime fiction. He was a prolific writer whose other works include science fiction stories, historical novels, plays, romances, poetry, and non-fiction. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote four novels and fifty-six short stories featuring his creation. Almost all were narrated by Holmes' friend and biographer, Dr. John Watson, with the exception of two narrated by Holmes himself and two more written in the third person.
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who first appeared in publication in 1887. A brilliant London-based detective, Holmes is famous for his prowess at using logic and astute observation to solve cases. He is perhaps the most famous fictional detective, and indeed one of the best known and most universally recognisable literary characters. The book he is best known for is "The Hound of the Baskervilles."
Unusually for a story involving the great detective Sherlock Holmes, "The Hound of the Baskervilles" is a full length novel and the longest Holmes novel. Taking place in both London and Devon, the novel traces the story of American Sir Henry Baskerville, the heir to a considerable estate after the death of Sir Charles Baskerville. Due to a West Country legend about a huge demon dog roaming the moors and seeking an ancient vengeance against the Baskervilles, locals are convinced that Sir Charles' death was no accident. Sherlock Holmes is invited by a Dr. Mortimer to investigate the matter for the benefit of Sir Henry. Holmes and his sidekick, Watson, who is sent ahead to Devon, are drawn into a fatal adventure of superstition and revenge upon the barren, gloomy moors.
In a detective novel, there is always a crime for a detective or a number of detectives to solve. Traditionally, the detective(s) are the protagonist(s) and often, it is written on their personal behalf. Detective novels involve the readers to keep them engrossed; this makes this specific genre so popular within today's readers. The storyline tends to keep them 'in the dark' on fundamental information to maintain their interest. Red-herrings are situated within the novel to keep the reader guessing. An example of this is when Sir Henry Baskerville received a letter stating he should keep away from ...
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In a detective novel, there is always a crime for a detective or a number of detectives to solve. Traditionally, the detective(s) are the protagonist(s) and often, it is written on their personal behalf. Detective novels involve the readers to keep them engrossed; this makes this specific genre so popular within today's readers. The storyline tends to keep them 'in the dark' on fundamental information to maintain their interest. Red-herrings are situated within the novel to keep the reader guessing. An example of this is when Sir Henry Baskerville received a letter stating he should keep away from his inheritance. Sherlock Holmes reveals that it smelt of a lavender perfume. However, this is insinuated at the end of the book, otherwise the readers who are guessing the murderer would have already worked it out before Holmes himself!
The main characters in "The Hound of the Baskervilles" are Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. These are the detectives of the book so it follows the convention of a typical detective novel. It has the superhero and his sidekick, the brains and the brawn. This mix of two types of people makes the book more interesting and the reader can associate themselves with the characters. This makes them feel involved in the book and carry on reading. With the two, Conan Doyle created a clever literary pairing: two vivid characters, different in their function and yet each useful for his purposes.
We are introduced from the very start of the play to two different forms of character.
The first form of character we brand with the title linear characters. These are those who have no real depth. These characters make a bond with a group of people that still exist in the modern day world and symbolise these rather than form an attachment to the audience. They are never developed to the point where they can become interesting or emotive. One such character is the gypsy; we don't know much about him but he is used as a red-herring. We could call the Barrymore family linear characters as we don't follow them throughout the story, though they are very important.
The other strand of character we call multifaceted. These characters are more developed and form a bond with the audience. The main character that we learn more about, than any other, is our protagonist Dr Watson. Some may argue that Sherlock Holmes is the protagonist but he is not followed throughout the story as Watson is writing it. A man with pride, respect and morals, yet undermined and overlooked by his role of sidekick to Holmes.
Holmes is a clever, middle-class man whom applies logic to solve mysteries. This can be seen in the very first paragraph of the book. A mysterious cane is left behind and Holmes challenges Watson to find out whom it belongs to. Watson takes a guess without thoroughly thinking out his reasoning. It is this point when Holmes steps in, explains whom he thinks it belongs to, and it outrageously accurate; "I am afraid, my dear Watson, that most of your conclusions were erroneous," proclaims Holmes, as though he had already worked it out, and he had. He is tall and slender with a sharp, handsome face. You traditionally see him with a deerstalker cap, a cape and a pipe in his mouth. He is the 'alpha male' of the partnership as he bosses Watson around and constantly patronises him. "When I said that you stimulated me I meant, to be frank..." This is also evidential when Watson finds out the Holmes was in Devon the whole time when Watson thought he was in London. He obviously enjoys being in charge of situations and Watson is happy to be lead by him as he is still learning and wishes to be as intellectual as Holmes himself. Holmes lacks emotional intelligence as he is very blunt when communicating with Watson and doesn't consider his feelings and opinions valuable. Holmes wants Watson to sometimes be a bit smarter, "you know my methods. Apply them!"
Watson is more of an active man. He is a medical doctor and a typical sidekick; he isn't as intelligent as the hero and uses his fist before brain. He is a bumbler and idolises Holmes. He only considers what is there and doesn't look beyond the obvious or 'out of the box.' Nevertheless, he is very loyal to Holmes as they both need each other despite their differences; it makes them a strong double. Conan Doyle portrays Watson as a capable and brave individual, whom Holmes does not hesitate to call upon for both moral and physical assistance: "Quickly Watson, get your service revolver!" Watson occasionally attempts to solve crimes on his own, using Holmes's methods. For example, Watson efficiently clears up several of the many mysteries confronting the pair, and Holmes praises him warmly for his enthusiasm and intelligence. However, because he is not endowed with Holmes' astonishing ability to focus on the essential details of the case, he meets with limited success in other cases, as Holmes remarks "Quite so... you see, but you do not observe."
"The Hound of the Baskervilles" is set upon a mysterious "melancholy moor" in Devon as it is the location of the Baskerville family hall. According to an aged legend, a "Great black beast" with "blazing eyes and dripping jaws" roams the moor, viciously slaughtering male Baskervilles. The moor is frequently described as being a "desolate plain" and a "barren waste." The moor's atmospheric weather and desolate landscape lend an air of tragedy and mystery so to the story with its "craggy cairns and tors"
Watson is used to write the story because he has a different approach to Holmes. If Holmes was writing the story, it would be extremely tedious as it would be straight to the solution. It wouldn't take the appealing detours of red-herrings and different trails. Watson's humour and simple mind sets the mood and allows Holmes to be intellectually superior. "The Hound of the Baskervilles" was originally located in a monthly magazine, a chapter an episode. The end of the chapters always ended on a cliff hanger to make the reader want to buy the next episode. The readers which want to play along and try to guess who committed the murder, are always mislead by the red-herrings which are cleverly situated within the book, this keeps them occupied and interested. Although there is no physical evidence or images of the devilish dog, the readers can maintain a very clear image of it by the similes an metaphors used frequently to describe it. Examples of these include "great black beast," "blazing eyes and dripping jaws" and "a huge creature, luminous, ghastly and spectral."
It is my personal beliefs that "The Hound of the Baskervilles" is an exciting, twisting novel, which keeps you on your toes for what is about to happen next. The detective novels are still popular today because of the fact they involve the reader so much. The detective programmes on television are somewhat different as they include more murders and big scenes as that is what today's audience enjoy. They like to see action which excites them; this makes the shows even more popular and will do for many years to come.
Adam Hatton Page 1 of 3