Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What kinds of stories did Sir Arthur Conan Doyle write? Which of his characters is best remembered, and why?

Teaching Suggestion: The Hound of the Baskervilles is set in a time and place that may initially be alienating to students. This prompt intends to increase engagement by ensuring that all students understand the literary and cultural significance of the story’s central character. Students’ prior knowledge of Doyle and Holmes is likely to vary widely; you might ask students for an initial response to this prompt and then use the resources below to fill in any gaps you identify in their knowledge.

• This 5-minute video offers background information on Doyle and Sherlock Holmes.
• This article discusses the legacy of Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes character.

2. Although Doyle wrote in both the Victorian Era and the Edwardian Era, the Sherlock Holmes stories take place during the Victorian Era. What are some characteristics of Victorian Britain that might be helpful in understanding and interpreting The Hound of the Baskervilles?