The Hound Of The Baskervilles Novel Summary
Introduction
The Hound of the Baskervilles is a novel written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1902. It is the third novel featuring detective Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. John Watson. The novel is set in the fictional county of Devonshire, England, and tells the story of a family curse, a spectral hound, and a murder mystery.
Plot Summary
The novel begins with Dr. James Mortimer visiting Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson in London. He brings with him a manuscript detailing the legend of the Baskerville family curse. According to the legend, a spectral hound haunts the family, and whoever inherits the Baskerville estate is doomed to be killed by the hound. Mortimer fears that the current heir, Sir Henry Baskerville, is in danger.
Upon arriving in Devonshire, Holmes and Watson discover that Sir Charles Baskerville, Sir Henry's uncle, has recently died under mysterious circumstances on the moors. They begin to investigate the case, with Watson staying at Baskerville Hall to protect Sir Henry.
Watson encounters several suspicious characters, including the Barrymore family, who are servants at Baskerville Hall, and Mr. Stapleton, a naturalist who lives on the moors with his sister. He also hears the sound of a hound late at night.
As the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that there is a human culprit behind the mysterious events. Holmes arrives on the scene and reveals that the hound is actually a trained dog used to scare and kill the Baskervilles. The culprit is revealed to be Mr. Stapleton, who is actually the illegitimate brother of Sir Henry's father and was hoping to inherit the Baskerville estate.
Themes
The Hound of the Baskervilles explores several themes, including the nature of evil, the power of superstition, and the importance of reason and logic. The novel also deals with the relationship between science and superstition, as well as the tension between the rural and urban worlds.
The character of Sherlock Holmes embodies the power of reason and logic, as he uses his deductive skills to solve the mystery. The novel also critiques the romanticism of the gothic tradition, as the supernatural elements of the story are ultimately explained through rational means.
Conclusion
The Hound of the Baskervilles is a classic detective novel and a masterpiece of gothic literature. It is a thrilling and suspenseful tale that has captivated readers for over a century. The novel's themes of reason, logic, and the tension between science and superstition continue to resonate with readers today.