Hound Of The Baskervilles Research Paper

“The peasants say it is the Hound of the Baskervilles calling for its prey. I’ve heard it once or twice before, but never quite so loud.” (Doyle) The terror of the ghost Hound that supposedly haunts the moor in the novel The Hound of the Baskervilles has intrigued audiences since the book’s publishing. However, as the times have changed since the writing of the book, the audience’s preferences have changed as well, bringing the need for change to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work. The modern adaptation of this story comes in the form of a play. Because of differences in plot and characters, as well as differences in suspense and comedy, the play adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles produces a very different, yet just as satisfying, effect

Suspense is generally used in the novel, whereas the play adaptation includes more comedy. The use of suspense is about the same between the novel and play. Even though there is the same amount of apprehension, the way it is presented either helps promote or overshadows the feelings of anticipation. The novel has a very serious tone, which adds to the tension and adds more mystery and terror to the story. An example of this is the death of Selden, who Holmes and Watson mistake for Sir Henry. Watson says ““The brute! The brute!” I cried with clenched hands. “Oh Holmes, I shall never forgive myself for having left him to his fate.” (Doyle) This shows Watson’s feelings about what he thinks is the death of his friend. In the novel, the serious tone makes the death feel heavy and sad to the reader. On the other hand, the play is presented in a very comedic way. The play contains the same mystery and same amount of anticipations scenes, but the way it is presented changes a lot. In the play, the suspense is somewhat covered up by the more humorous scenes, which appeals more to modern audiences. The same example as before, the death of Selden, is not as heavy on the viewer in the way it is presented. In the play, a doll drops from the ceiling, landing on the stage. The despondency of the scene was covered up by the laughter from the