When enthusiastic readers and fans around the globe think of Sherlock Holmes, they do not necessarily associate the stories of the detective with Gothic fiction. Holmes is rather linked to be the supreme example of the classic detective story. Ever since the first Sherlock Holmes story "A Study in Scarlet" has been published, numerous adaptations such as theatre plays, films and a recent BBC series followed. Adding scholarly texts to the adaptations, one can certainly argue that most of the publications deal with Holmes in his role as a detective. Thus, Nils Clausson claims that “the myth of the scientific detective was born” (61).
Certainly, it is more likely to associate Sherlock Holmes with crime fiction than with vampires or zombies. However, Gothic fiction is far to complex to reduce the term only to this associations.
Thus, the purpose of this seminar paper is to lay the focus on Gothic elements and detective fiction in one particular Sherlock Holmes story, The Hound of the Baskervilles. Hence, the structure of the paper will be as follows. In the first chapter, the paper will be concerned with the term Gothic. This implies an attempt to both define as well as limit the notion to Gothic fiction. Moreover, the paper deals with common motifs or features of the classic Gothic fiction, which developed in the 18th century. In the next sub-chapter, the paper sets the focus on the so – called Gothic revival, which occurred in the late – Victorian era of the 19th century. As it is of peculiar interest for The Hound of the Baskervilles, some characteristics of the late-Victorian Gothic will be implied. The third and the fourth chapter will illustrate the main aspects of the paper. Subdivided into characters, setting and plot, the third chapter will discuss some Gothic elements in The Hound of the Baskervilles. Could The Hound of the Baskervilles either be considered as Gothic fiction or a detective story? Based on this question, the paper will incorporate several scientific statements to find an answer. Finally, the paper will give a conclusion as well as a bibliography.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Gothic Fiction
2.1. Defining Gothic Fiction
2.2. Late-Victorian Gothic and its Characteristics
3. Gothic Elements in The Hound of the Baskervilles
3.1. Characters
3.2 Setting
3.3. Plot
4. The Hound of the Baskervilles: Gothic Fiction or Detective Story?
5. Conclusion
6. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
This seminar paper explores the intersection of Gothic literature and the detective genre within Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Hound of the Baskervilles," aiming to determine how the novel navigates the tension between rational scientific deduction and supernatural elements.
- Definition and historical development of Gothic fiction.
- Characteristics of the Late-Victorian Gothic era.
- Analysis of characters, setting, and plot through a Gothic lens.
- The structural and thematic conflict between Gothic horror and the detective story.
- The role of Sherlock Holmes as a mediator between rationality and irrationality.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 Setting
The setting is an essential factor of the novel as it creates a certain atmosphere. In The Hound of the Baskervilles, the setting mostly takes place in Dartmoor. On his journey from London to Dartmoor with Dr. Mortimer, Watson describes the area as a remote place. “In a very few hours the brown earth had become ruddy, the brick had changed to granite, and red cows grazed in well-hedged fields [...]” (Doyle 193). Mainly the description of the moor produces a dark and frightening atmosphere, as it almost foreshadows the events that will follow. For instance, Watson says that “behind the peaceful and sunlit countryside there rose ever, dark against the evening sky, the long, gloomy curve of the moor, broken by the jagged and sinister hills” (Doyle 194).
Another feature of the moor is its mysticism. Hence, Stapleton tells Watson on their first meeting: “You never tire of the moor. You cannot think the wonderful secrets which it contains. It is so vast, and so barren, and so mysterious” (Doyle 208). Especially the Grimpen Mire symbolizes a primitive and mysterious place, where “a false step yonder means death to man or beast” (Doyle 208).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction establishes the paper’s goal to examine Gothic elements within "The Hound of the Baskervilles" and outlines the structural approach to comparing Gothic tradition with the classic detective story.
2. Gothic Fiction: This chapter defines the Gothic genre, tracing its origins from the 18th century to the late-Victorian "fin-de-siecle" period, emphasizing themes of degeneration and anxiety.
3. Gothic Elements in The Hound of the Baskervilles: The author analyzes how specific characters, the eerie setting of Dartmoor, and the narrative plot structure embody classic Gothic tropes.
4. The Hound of the Baskervilles: Gothic Fiction or Detective Story?: This section discusses the scholarly debate regarding the novel's classification, arguing that it successfully hybridizes the logical structure of detective fiction with the atmospheric tension of Gothic horror.
5. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, affirming that the novel functions effectively in both genres and that its lasting appeal stems from the inherent ambiguity and interplay between the rational and the supernatural.
6. Bibliography: A comprehensive list of primary and secondary academic sources used to support the literary analysis.
Keywords
The Hound of the Baskervilles, Arthur Conan Doyle, Gothic fiction, Detective story, Late-Victorian, Fin-de-siecle, Degeneration, Atavism, Rationality, Supernatural, Sherlock Holmes, Dartmoor, Narrative structure, Liminality, Monstrosity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines how Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Hound of the Baskervilles" utilizes conventions of Gothic fiction while operating within the framework of a detective story.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The work explores themes such as the Late-Victorian fear of regression, the concept of the "abhuman," the role of the environment in creating atmosphere, and the intersection of scientific reason with superstition.
What is the central research question?
The paper asks whether "The Hound of the Baskervilles" should be classified strictly as a detective novel or a Gothic tale, ultimately investigating how it balances elements of both.
What methodology is employed in this analysis?
The author uses literary analysis, referencing critical works and concepts from scholars like Clausson, Hurley, and Smith, to interpret character, setting, and plot developments.
What is addressed in the main body of the text?
The main body breaks down the novel into its constituent Gothic elements—specifically focusing on criminal "atavism" in characters, the mystical Dartmoor landscape, and the usage of letters and diary entries to build suspense.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The study is defined by terms such as Gothic fiction, detective story, degeneration, atavism, Sherlock Holmes, and narrative ambiguity.
How does the author characterize the role of the moor in the novel?
The author argues that the moor acts as an essential, atmospheric character that symbolizes primitive mystery and helps foreshadow the narrative's dark and frightening events.
What does the paper conclude about Sherlock Holmes' nature?
The conclusion suggests that Holmes acts as a mediator between the rational, scientific world of the Victorian era and the irrational, supernatural forces that threaten society.
- Quote paper
- Daniel Quitz (Author), 2013, "The Hound of the Baskervilles" in the Context of Gothic Fiction and the Detective Story, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/273546
