Key themes
- The rational mind confronting the apparently supernatural — and winning
- The moor as gothic atmosphere — and what it does to reason
- Holmes as the light against the darkness of ancient legend
About this book
A spectral hound stalks a Devon moor and Holmes is on the case; the most atmospheric of the canon.
Published serially 1901-02, The Hound of the Baskervilles was written after Doyle had killed Holmes in 'The Final Problem' — he set it before that story to avoid bringing Holmes back from the dead. It is considered the finest Holmes novel.
Discussion questions
- The novel opens with what appears to be a supernatural curse. How does Doyle use this — and what is he saying through the eventual rational explanation?
- Watson narrates much of the novel while Holmes is absent. What does this structural choice achieve — and how does Watson's limited perspective serve the story?
- The Devonshire moor is as much a character as any person. How does Doyle use this setting — and what does gothic atmosphere add to a detective story premised on reason?
- Sir Henry Baskerville is in danger throughout but is not especially developed as a character. Is this a flaw — or does his relative thinness serve the story?
- The Hound of the Baskervilles is the best-known Holmes novel. What does it do that the short stories cannot — and is Holmes actually better suited to novel length or to the stories?
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