General Qs. Ans. On The Hound of the Baskervilles: Qs. & Ans.

General Questions on ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’

Q1. Character sketch or the role played by Sherlock Holmes in the novel ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’.

Ans. Sherlock Holmes plays a very important role in this novel. He is an astute crime detective with superb qualities in him. He is the person who resolves all the tangled threads of the major plot of the novel. He solves the mystery of the curse of the hound upon the Baskervilles. This is the reason why he is considered ‘the greatest detective of all time’.

We, the readers, are wonderstruck at his observations, alertness and deductions throughout the novel. In the very first chapter, he proves his supremacy over his assistant Dr. Watson.

From the very beginning, he is not ready to believe in the supernatural cause of Sir Charles tragic death. Towards the end of the novel, he unravels the mystery of the hound. The incidents of the missing shoes at once clarify to him the fact that some human being behind the curtain is conspiring against the Baskervilles. So he deputes Dr. Watson to provide safety cover to Sir Henry at Baskerville Hall.

He himself remains behind the curtain to fill the missing gaps in the safety cover.

He is a true realist and, therefore, he relates all the incidents to cause and effect theory. He does not tell anything about his secret plans even to Dr. Watson.

His observation power is par excellence.. When his sharp eyes fall on the portrait of Hugo Baskerville, the evil incarnate, Stapleton’s face at once comes in his mind. This gives a sudden twist to the events of the story.

Sherlock Holmes is not only full of supreme intellect, but he is a true human being also. He feels concerned about the safety of the people living on the moor when the criminal Seldon is out of prison. He even regrets to Sir Henry that his safety was put in danger to expose Stapleton.

Thus with very few weaknesses as a human being, he is a superb detective.

2. Role/Character sketch of Dr. Watson

Dr. Watson also plays a very important role in this novel. He is the narrator of the story and, therefore, the readers

Ans. Dr. Watson also plays very important role in this novel. He is the narrator of the story and, therefore, the readers feel his presence almost all the time.

He is a doctor by profession and not a trained detective, but, in spite of that, he successfully proves his ability for this profession.

Sherlock Holmes assigns to him several tasks, which he completes to Sherlock Holmes full satisfaction.

Sometimes Dr. Watson goes beyond facts and reality. Therefore, Sherlock Holmes told him to report to him about the facts, not theory when he was deputed at the Baskerville Hall to provide a safety cover to Sir Henry Baskerville.

Sometimes he may be tempted to believe in superstition, but Sherlock Holmes dissuades him to do so.

At Baskerville Hall, he performs his duty very carefully and sends detailed reports to his boss, Sherlock Holmes. At one or two occasions, he shows his carelessness regarding Sir Henry’s security, but on the whole, he performs his duty very well.

Thus Dr. Watson assumes the number two position in the novel with several of his positive and very few negative points.

3. Describe the character of Jack Stapleton as the villain of the story, who masterminds the entire plot and executes it till the end.                                                      Or

Dr. Watson describes Stapleton as a “creature of infinite patience and craft, with a smiling face and a murderous heart’. Describe the character of Stapleton in the light of this remark.                                                  Or

Holmes remarks that “the devil’s agent may be of flesh and blood” Describe the character of Jack Stapleton in the light of this statement.                                                  Or

Can Stapleton be called the hound of the Baskervilles, who dogs Sir Charles to death and attempts to murder Sir Henry, too?

Ans. Jack Stapleton is the third and one of the most important characters of this novel. He is the mastermind who dogs Sir Charles to death and also weaves a very dangerous web to entangle Sir Henry to plan his murder. In a way, he may be called the real hound of the Baskervilles. He does all this villainy to become the sole owner of the Baskerville estate.

The revelation that he is the nephew of Hugo Baskerville surprises us. Although he tries his level best to eliminate Sir Henry, yet all of his plans are foiled by the super mind Sherlock Holmes.

Jack Stapleton is such a clever mind that he befools the simple-minded people at the moor. He spreads superstition in their minds by creating the myth of the curse of a hound upon the Baskervilles.

We come to know that once he had opened a school, but could not continue due to some problems. He is a naturalist, intelligent and clever. He understands at once at Sir Henry’s arrival at Baskerville Hall that Dr. Watson’s has been sent to accompany him by Sherlock Holmes. That’s why, he intends to know Sherlock Holmes’ planning from Dr. Watson. He is so much morally down that he uses his own wife to lure Sir Henry to her charms. He keeps the identity of his wife a secret. Thus Jack Stapleton proves himself the faithful nephew of his rogue and villainous uncle sir Hugo Baskerville.

Q4. What is the role played by the hound in the theme and action of the novel? Or What is the relevance of the title “The Hound of the Baskervilles” to the theme and the action of the novel?

Ans. The myth of the hound haunts almost throughout the novel. So it is very important for the theme and the action of the novel. In the beginning, we come to know from Dr. Mortimer about the hound when he was informing Sherlock Holmes about Sir Henry’s death. But Dr. Mortimer believed in the supernatural hound that had become a legendary curse upon the Baskervilles. He also believes that Sir Henry had also become the victim of that legendary and supernatural hound.

Another hound in the story is the real one and it belonged to Stapleton. In a way this hound had become an accomplice to Sir Charles’ murder. This is the same hound that was let loose upon Sir Henry to eliminate him.

Stapleton is the real villain in this novel. He is not less than any hound. He was the master of the real hound that he used to kill Sir Charles and Sir Henry. Sir Henry was saved by circumstances as Seldon had worn his dress. Stapleton was also a Baskerville and wanted to usurp the whole Baskerville estate. He was in search of an opportunity to kill Sir Henry from the very time he came in London. He is such a clever and cunning person that he spreads the story of the hound among the people on the moor so that they do not suspect cause of Sir Charles death. He took the help of the supernatural belied that is usually found in people’s minds.

In this way, the hound whether real or unreal haunts the readers’ minds throughout the novel.

Q5. What is the role played by the supernatural and evil forces in ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’?

Ans. The novel ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is not without evil forces. These are represented mainly by Stapletons, Stapleton’s real hound and his greed to become the owner of the whole Baskerville estate, Seldon and even the supernatural atmosphere built up by Stapleton. The interlude of Hugo Baskervilles also adds to the dark and gloomy atmosphere in the novel. The swamp on the moor and several other descriptions by the author enhance the gloomy atmosphere.

The first victim of the evil forces is the helpless daughter of a farmer on the moor. She was kidnapped by Hugo Baskervilles and when she escaped from his clutches, the devil Hugo let his hounds loose upon her.

Then Hugo’s nephew, Stapleton made Sir Charles his victim. He wanted to get Sir Henry killed by his hound, but Sherlock Holmes exposed him before that. Seldon, the absconding criminal became his victim as he was killed by Stapleton’s hound. He spread stories about supernatural beliefs of the curse upon the Baskervilles.

But in the general drama of life, only the good forces win. Nature always takes its nemesis. Stapleton falls into the swamp and gets swallowed by it.

Thus in this novel we find a struggle between the good and the evil forces. The good forces win in the last.

The Hound of the Baslkervilles: Chapter 9: Qs. & Ans.

Topics on Chapter 9

Q1.  :Describe the significance of the light upon the moor and how the mystery of the light is solved.

Ans. The Chapter ‘The Light Upon the Moor’ is very much important because it throws light on several issues of the story.

The subplot of the novel related to Seldon becomes clear to Dr. Watson, Sir Henry and also to the readers. Both Mr. and Mrs. Barrymore were in the list of the suspects given to Dr. Watson by Sherlock Holmes. Barrymore was constantly being suspected for having his link with the person who was spying Sir Henry in London.

 Dr. Watson and Sir Henry were curious to know as to whom Barrymore was showing the candle light the previous night. So the next night, Dr. Watson followed him to know about it. He noticed that Barrymore waved the burning candle from the open window of an empty room. He seemed to give a signal to somebody at a distance. Dr. Watson told all that to Sir Henry and both of them decided to follow Barrymore at night.

It becomes clear that Mr. Barrymore and his wife were protecting and helping  Seldon, who was Mrs. Barrymore’s brother. Barrymore was caught red handed while giving signals with the help of candle light to provide him food.

Now this also becomes clear that Barrymore had no love relationship with any country girl.

Q2. Why does Sir Henry go without Watson to meet Miss Stapleton? Describe their meeting.

Ans. Dr. Watson knew that Sir Henry was fascinated by the charms of Miss Stapleton. But he never knew that he could risk his life by deciding to meet her alone on the moor. Dr. Watson performed his duty to warn Sir Henry about his rash decision, but he did not follow Watson’s advice and went to meet his lady love.

But still, Dr. Watson followed both of them at a distance to provide Sir Henry a security cover.

Both the lovers met at the fixed place at fixed time. They walked side by side slowly talking happily. It seemed as if they were in deep discussion. Then Sir Henry tried to express his love to Miss Stapleton, but it seemed that she was trying to resist it. She also tried to press upon him to go away from the Baskerville Hall as there was danger to his life.

After that Sir Henry presented a marriage proposal to her, but at that very moment Stapleton reached venting his anger on Sir Henry out of jealousy. Thus their meeting came to an abrupt end.

Q3. Stapleton was rude to Sir Henry when he interrupted them and vented his anger on him. But later on, he gives an explanation to Sir Henry about his bad behavior and feels sorry for it. Are you satisfied with his explanation?

 When Sir Henry and Miss Stapleton were busy in their conversation, Stapleton came running to them and started abusing  Sir Henry. It was very rude of him.

Later on, Stapleton tried to defend his rough behaviour with him. He apologized to him for his bad behavior. He told him that he was very possessive of his only sister. He could not bear the thought of losing his sister to anyone. Moreover he had no idea of their being so close in a relationship. That was why; he could not control his anger at that time. He also told him that it would be a good thing if his sister got married to a neighbor like him. But he would have to wait for three months for that.

But we do not agree with the explanation Stapleton forwarded to assuage the hurt feeling of Sir Henry. We know that he is the mastermind who has made a plan to kill Sir Henry and be the owner of the whole Baskerville estate. So, how could a villain like Stapleton be the well wisher of Sir Henry?

The Hound of the Baskervilles: Chapter 8; Qs. & Ans.

Topics on Chapter 8

Topic 1 : First Report of Dr. Watson to Sherlock Holmes about the romantic relationship between Sir Henry and Miss Stapleton.

ü Dr. Watson sends his first report to Sherlock Holmes about the developing romantic relationship between Sir Henry and Miss Stapleton.

ü Dr. Watson is not happy with this development between them because he is very much concerned about the safety of Sir Henry, who is already at risk there.

ü Sir Henry is really captivated by the beauty and charms of Miss Stapleton. According to Dr. Watson’s observations, it is Sir Henry’s being young and his loneliness at the Baskerville Hall which has made Sir Henry show a lot of interest in her.

ü Another thing that Dr. Watson notices is that there is a lot difference between the temperament of Mr. Stapleton and his so called sister.

ü Miss Stapleton also shows very much interest in Sir Henry Baskerville.

ü Another thing worth mentioning here is that Mr. Stapleton does not approve of such type of relationship. Watson has seen Stapleton feeling irritated whenever he found Sir Henry and his sister engaged in conversation.

Topic 2: Dr. Watson’s visit to the Yew Alley:

ü We come to know about Dr. Watson’s visit to Yew Alley Through his report sent to Sherlock Holmes. Dr. Mortimer, who had come to have lunch with Sir Henry and Dr. Watson, takes them to Yew Alley. They watch the place where Sir Charles had met with his tragic death.

ü The place seems to cast a shadow of gloom on the place as they walk through the passage that seemed to be like a tunnel because there were high walls of hedges on the both sides.

ü Dr. Watson observed very minutely the place where Sir Henry seemed to have been waiting for someone. He had dropped ashes from his cigar two times there.

ü It was the place where Sir Charles seemed to have seen something frightful coming towards him, which had made him run towards the moor.

ü Dr. Watson thinks that the terror and fatigue must have caused Sir Charles’ heart failure.

ü This visit makes Dr. Watson ponder over a few necessary points. He wonders as to what that ‘terrible’ object could be.  It could be a ‘sheep-dog’ of the moor or some phantom hound or something in human flesh and blood.

ü In this way, Dr. Watson’s visit to the Yew Alley proves to be very important. It makes his belief that there must be some human being causing danger to Sir Henry’s life. The same person also is responsible for Sir Charles’ tragic death.

ü Topic 3:

The reasons leading to Dr. Watson’s doubts on Mr. Barrymore:

ü Not only Doctor Watson, but Sherlock Holmes and even Sir Henry suspected on Mr. Barrymore at least up to the middle of the novel.

ü There were certain reasons for that. The first reason is that his face had also black beard on it like that of the man in the cab stalking Sir Henry in London.

ü The second reason is that Mr. Barrymore decides to leave Baskerville Hall at the arrival of Sir Henry there. He gives unsatisfying reasons for his decision.

ü The third reason which Makes Dr. Watson and even Sir Henry suspect him more strongly than before is that he tells lie about the woman who kept on sobbing the previous night while his wife’s eyes were red and swollen.

ü Dr. Watson also comes to know from the Grimpen postmaster that the telegramme was received by Mrs. Barrymore, not Mr. Barrymore.

ü Another reason that makes Sir Henry and Dr. Watson confident in their suspicion on him is that Barrymore was found walking at night with a burning candle in his hands and waving it to and fro in an empty room.

ü These are the reasons that make him a victim of suspicion.