The Hound of the Baskervilles

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What kinds of stories did Sir Arthur Conan Doyle write? Which of his characters is best remembered, and why?

Teaching Suggestion: The Hound of the Baskervilles is set in a time and place that may initially be alienating to students. This prompt intends to increase engagement by ensuring that all students understand the literary and cultural significance of the story’s central character. Students’ prior knowledge of Doyle and Holmes is likely to vary widely; you might ask students for an initial response to this prompt and then use the resources below to fill in any gaps you identify in their knowledge.

• This 5-minute video offers background information on Doyle and Sherlock Holmes.
• This article discusses the legacy of Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes character.

2. Although Doyle wrote in both the Victorian Era and the Edwardian Era, the Sherlock Holmes stories take place during the Victorian Era. What are some characteristics of Victorian Britain that might be helpful in understanding and interpreting The Hound of the Baskervilles?

Teaching Suggestion: The Hound of the Baskervilles deals with typical Victorian concerns regarding class, gender, emerging scientific understandings of the world, and the contrast between urban and rural environments. Students may know relatively little about Victorian Britain, and they may struggle to apply what they do know to the question of how to read Doyle’s work. You might offer them the resources below before they attempt to answer this prompt. Since students will have differing suggestions about how to approach Doyle’s text, it may be valuable to discuss this question aloud.

• This article offers an overview of Victorian Britain as well as a timeline of significant developments.
• This 6-minute video offers an excellent introduction to the literature of the Victorian age.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

Do you enjoy detective stories, suspense, or mysteries? Why or why not? What are some examples of stories you have read, watched, or played that fit into these genres?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt lends itself well to discussion, either as a class or in small groups. Students will benefit from hearing multiple perspectives on what is or is not enjoyable about stories of this type, and they may enjoy sharing their examples of relevant stories they have read, watched, or played. You might extend such a discussion by asking students for suggestions about how to stay engaged with mystery/suspense stories if they are not a genre one naturally enjoys.