The Hound of the Baskervilles
- Genre: Fiction; mystery; detective novel
- Originally Published: 1902
- Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 1170L; grades 9-12
- Structure/Length: 15 chapters; approximately 196 pages; audiobook length around 5 hours, 47 minutes
- Protagonist/Central Conflict: The protagonist is the famous detective Sherlock Holmes, assisted by Dr. John Watson. The central conflict revolves around the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville and the legend of a supernatural hound. Holmes and Watson navigate through clues, myths, and treacherous moors to uncover the truth behind the Baskerville family curse.
- Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of superstition and legend; mild suspense and peril; depiction of a Gothic and eerie atmosphere
Arthur Conan Doyle, Author
- Bio: Born 1859; died 1930; Scottish writer and physician; best known for creating the character Sherlock Holmes; his works greatly contributed to the crime and detective fiction genre; notable for his vivid characterizations and intricate plots; a key figure in Victorian literature
- Other Works: A Study in Scarlet (1887); The Sign of Four (1890); The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1892); The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1894)
CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:
- Superstition Vs Logic and Reason
- Observing the Obvious
- Capable Women Without Enough Power
STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:
- Explore background information on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his historical context to increase their engagement with and understanding of The Hound of the Baskervilles.