Conan Doyle Creates Fear and Tension in The Hound of the Baskervilles

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This essay will explain how Conan Doyle creates fear and tension in

The Hound of the Baskervilles, with particular reference.

How effectively does Conan Doyle create fear and tension in The Hound

of the Baskervilles. Discuss with particular reference to chapters 6

and 14

This essay will explain how Conan Doyle creates fear and tension in

The Hound of the Baskervilles, with particular reference to chapters 6

and 14.

Arthur Conan Doyle was born on May 22, 1859, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

As a young man he seemed destined for a career in medicine. In 1876 he

attended the University of Edinburgh Medical School. There he met

Joseph Bell, whose deductive powers and dramatic flair he would later

embody in the character of Sherlock Holmes. In the early 1880s he

served as a medical officer on an Arctic whaling ship and ship's

surgeon on a voyage to West Africa. By the summer of 1882, he had

settled in the town of Southsea in the south of England. In 1885 he

received his medical degree. Even after he was a well-established

writer, he continued to pursue his medical education, becoming an eye

specialist. His medical practice was unsuccessful, leaving him plenty

of free time to write. His first story was "The Mystery of Sarassa

Valley, The Hound of the Baskervilles was written in 1901.

The Hound of the Baskervilles opens with a mini mystery, Sherlock

Holmes and Dr. Watson speculate on the identity of the owner of a cane

that has been left in their office by an unknown visitor. Watson

Wowing Watson with his fabulous powers of observation, Holmes predicts

the appearance of James Mortimer, owner of the found object and a

convenient entrée into the baffling curse of the Baskervilles.

Entering the office and unveiling an 18th century manuscript, Mortimer

recounts the myth of the lecherous Hugo Baskerville. Hugo captured and

imprisoned a young country lass at his estate in Devonshire, only to

fall victim to a marauding hound of hell as he pursued her along the

lonesome moors late one night. Ever since, Mortimer reports, the

Baskerville line has been plagued by a mysterious and supernatural

black hound. The recent death of Sir Charles Baskerville has rekindled

suspicions and fears. The next of kin, the duo finds out, has arrived

in London to take up his post at Baskerville Hall, but he has already

been intimidated by an anonymous note of warning and, strangely

enough, the theft of a shoe.

Agreeing to take the case, Holmes and Watson quickly discover that Sir

Henry Baskerville is being trailed in London by a mysterious bearded

stranger, and they speculate as to whether the ghost is friend or not.

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