English 10/11
Hound of the Baskervilles
Study guide questions
Chapter 1
1. What two characters are introduced in the first chapter?
Holmes and Watson
2. What information is Holmes able to reveal about the mysterious walking stick ?
The stick was a gift from Charing Cross Hospital.
The owner is a country doctor.
The tooth marks on the stick are those of a spaniel (saw Mortimer and dog at his door)
3. Who does the stick belong to?
Dr. James Mortimer
4. How does Dr. Mortimer insult Holmes?
Tells Holmes he is the second renowned expert in deductions in Europe.
Chapter 2
5. Characterize Hugo Baskerville.
Wild, godless fellow
6. What did he do to the farmers daughter?
When the girl’s father and brother were away, they kidnapped her and brought her to Baskerville Hall and held her prisioner.
7. What happened to the farmer’s daughter and Hugo Baskerville?
She escaped and then died on the moor.
Hugo also died. A black beast stood over him tearing out his throat.
8. What is the curse on the Baskerville family?
Curse of the coming of the hound. Passed down from one generation to another. Begged everyone not to cross the moor at night when the powers of evil are strongest.
9. Describe the circumstances of Sir Charles death.
Every night he walked down the famous yew alley of Baskerville Hall, but at midnight he hadn’t returned. Footprints were traced to the gate to the moor. Showed he had stood there for a while then walked away on his toes. Horse dealer who was on the moor said he heard cries (he was drunk that night). His face was distorted.
10. Who will inherit Sir Charles’ fortune?
His nephew, Henry Baskerville.
11. What details of Sir Charles’ death not made public?
Dr. Mortimer found footprints of a gigantic hound in the area where Sir Charles died.
Chapter 3
12. Why is Holmes upset that it rained on the night of Sir Charles death?
All the evidence would be destroyed by the rain.
13. What does Holmes think is the cause of Sir Charles’ death?
Heart attack, died from fear.
14. Describe Sir Henry.
Small, dark eyes and strong build.
15. What mysterious things happened to Sir Henry upon his arrival to London?
Received a letter saying “If you value your life, stay away from the moor.” (the word moor was printed in ink)
His boots were placed outside his hotel door to be cleaned and in the morning only one was there.
16. What does Holmes deduce from the anonymous letter sent to Sir Henry Baskerville? How does he know this?
The words were cut out of the London Times. He knows this because only the Times uses this particular type.
17. Immediately after Sir Henry and Dr. Mortimer leave the office, Holmes and Watson follow them. Why?
They suspect SH and M. are being followed and want to find out who is following them.
Chapter 4
18. What has happened to Sir Henry’s boots?
Originally they had taken one of his brown boots, now one of his black ones is missing.
19. Who has profited from Sir Charles’ will?
The housekeeper and butler (Barrymore), Dr. Mortimer and Sir Henry and if Sir Henry dies it will go to James Desmond (a distant cousin).
20. Where has Sir Henry decided to go? Who will go with him?
To Baskerville Hall. Watson will go with him.
21. What did Sir Henry find in his hotel room?
His brown boot.
22. List the strange events that have happened within the 2 days of Sir Henry’s arrival.
Printed letter, lost brown boot, lost black boot, return of brown boot.
23. What new causes Holmes to be disappointed?
Cartwright has visited 23 hotels and cannot find the cut sheet of the Times. Barrymore is at the hall. His leads do not work out.
24. According to the cabman, who was in his cab as he drove down Regent St.?
Holmes
Chapter 5
25. Name the possible suspects at Baskerville hall.
Groom, Dr. Mortimer and wife, Stapleton and sister, Mr. Frankland and others
26. What advise does Holmes give to Watson?
Keep revolver with him.
27. Compare Watson’s and Sir Henry’s descriptions of Grimpen.
Watson- bleak, empty, gray
Sir Henry- beautiful
28. Why are there soldiers present at the train station?
Looking for Seldon, the Notting Hill murderer. Escaped from Princetown 3 days ago.
29. Why do Barrymore and his wife want to leave Baskerville Hall?
Sad about Sir Charles death.
30. What sound did Sir Henry and Watson hear at night?
Sobbing
31. How do we know Barrymore was lying about his wife?
Her eyes were red and swollen.
32. Why is Watson feeling uneasy?
He fears for Sir Henry’s life.
Chapter 6
33. Why is Grimpen Mire so dangerous?
A dangerous marsh.
34. Why do people risk going through the “Mire?”
There are rare plants and butterflies there.
35. What is strange about the hillside on the mire?
20 gray rings of stone.
36. Describe Miss Beryl Stapleton.
Dark eyes, black hair, slim, elegant, tall.
37. What does Miss Stapleton tell Watson to do?
Leave Baskerville Hall.
38. Who does she mistake him for? Why is this significant?
Sir Henry. Significant because SH may be in grave danger. It also brings up questions about why she does not want her brother to know about her conversation with Watson.
Chapter 7
39. Which 2 characters are romantically attracted to one another?
Sir Henry and Miss Stapleton
40. Describe Mr. Frankland.
Likes astronomy, elderly, red faced, white hair, studies law, seems nice
41. Why is Watson suspicious of Barrymore?
Got up in the middle of the night, stood by window and groaned
42. What events did Watson witness between Miss Stapleton and
Sir Henry?
He had his arm around her, she pulled away then Stapleton ran to them and he and Miss Stapleton walked away
43. Why is Sir Henry upset?
Puzzled at Stapleton’s behavior
44. How does Stapleton apologize to Sir Henry?
Invites him to dinner
45. Why does Barrymore look out the window every night?
To give food to Mrs Barrymore’s brother, Selden, the escaped convict.
46. Why are Watson and Sir Henry on the moor? Explain what happened.
Going to get Selden. Animal appeared, Selden screamed a curse and threw stone. They ran after him but didn’t catch him.
Chapter 8
47. What information does Barrymore reveal about Sir Charles’ death?
He was at the gate to meet a woman.
48. What did Mortimer tell Watson about Laura Lyons?
Frankland’s daughter. Married an artist who deserted her.
49. Who is the “other man?”
50. Describe Laura Lyons.
Beautiful, hazel eyes, dark hair, something coarse about her.
51. Why was Laura Lyons motivated to write a letter to Sir Charles?
Wanted to get a divorce.
52. Did Laura Lyons meet Sir Charles?
No.
53. What did the note reveal to Watson?
They were following him.
Chapter 9
54. Who is the boy that has been bringing supplies to the stone hut?
Cartwright, the boy from the hotel who was asked to find the “cut up Times,”
55. What new information do we have about Laura Lyons?
She and Stapleton were very close.
56. Who is Stapleton’s wife?
His sister Beryl.
57. How is Stapleton using his wife to his advantage?
He is trying to hurt Sir Henry.
58. How do Holmes and Watson intend to “use” Stapleton’s wife?
Have her help them.
59. What “mistake” did Stapleton make?
School records indicate he disappeared with his wife.
60. Why did Holmes and Watson mistake Seldon for Sir Henry?
Sir Henry had given Barrymore old clothes of his and the the suit was given to Selden to escape.
61. Why was Stapleton worried about Sir Henry? Are his feelings genuine?
He had suggested Sir Henry visit him and when he hadn’t arrived he was worried.
Chapter 10
62. What important information does the portrait reveal?
When Holmes hid the hat and curly hair they realized it bore a likeness to Stapleton.
63. What does Holmes ask Sir Henry to do after his visit Merripit?
To walk home alone
64. What surprising information does Holmes tell Laura Lyons?
Stapleton is married
65. Why does Laura Lyons decide to tell Holmes what she knows?
He asked her to marry him.
66. What might spoil Holmes’ plan?
The thick fog,
Chapter 11
67. Describe the hound.
Coal black, tongue of fire, jaws lined with red, flickering sparks
68. What happened to the beast?
Holmes shot it.
69. What caused the hound’s mouth to glow?
Phosphorus.
70. What did Stapleton do to Mrs. Stapleton? Why?
Hit her and tied her up.
71. What was found on Grimpen Mire?
Sir Henry’s boot.
Chapter 12
72. What is Stapleton’s relationship to the Baskervilles?
He was the son of Roger Baskerville, the younger brother of Sir Charles, who went to South America.
73. Who is to blame for the death of Sir Charles? Why?
Stapleton because he lured Sir Charles out to the moor. (Thought he was going to meet Laura Lyons, she needed his help)
74. How did Holmes know the warning note was sent by a woman?
Scent of jasmine on the paper.
75. How would Stapleton (Roger) be able to claim the Baskerville fortune?
He could move to South America and claim the money from there or he could disguise himself. He also could have hired another man to play the part.