Modernizing a Classic: The Hound of the Baskervilles

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories of Sherlock Holmes continue to remain popular today, over a century since they were first published.  The most popular of these stories is The Hound of the Baskervilles.  In class, we viewed two more recent adaptations of this story done by the BBC.  One being the 1988 version starring Jeremy Brett, and the other, more recent 2012 version starring Benedict Cumberbatch.  These updated versions contain traditional Gothic tropes that allow them to fit into the genre.  However, these tropes had to be updated in order to reflect new fears that have evolved throughout the years.

The character of Holmes and Watson were updated for the 2012 version.  Holmes continues to be very intellectual and intuitive as he was in the book.  However, in modern society, we like to put a reason behind why he is the way he is.  In this new version, we see glimpses into Holmes’ mind as he is sorting out the mystery.  He is made out to seem like he has a mental disorder and Watson even mentions Asperger’s.  In a society where people are constantly self-diagnosing to try to explain why they feel the way they do, this Holmes is relatable.  In this updated version, Watson seems to play a different role for Holmes than he did in the original book.  In the book, he seems like he is just along for the ride and isn’t very helpful to Holmes in solving the case.  The new Watson keeps Holmes grounded and helps him through certain situations.  Hints of homosexuality are also thrown into the mix that were not a part of the book.

The moor has also been updated in the 2012 version.  Originally, it was a dark and scary place where fog obscured your vision, a convict was hiding, a scary hound was on the loose, and where ponies disappeared into the mire.  New technologies like flashlights have eliminated some of the spookiness associated with the dark as well as modern familiarity with Dartmoor.  In order to reinvent the Gothic atmosphere in the new version, Baskerville has been converted into a high security military facility.  This provides a sense of the unknown because the happenings at Baskerville are top secret.  We then find out that many different genetic modifications are being preformed inside that are frightening to a society that shows concern over Genetically Modified Organisms.  In connection to the military facility, a minefield has taken the place of the mire.  One missed step will ultimately lead to death so one must avoid straying too far.  The fog has also been laced with a mind altering drug in the new version that even affects Holmes.  This shows that even one who seems invincible is still susceptible to unknown substances that can affect how the mind thinks which is scary.

This drug in the fog is used to enhance the new hound that is used in the 2012 version.  No longer is it just a starving dog covered in phosphorous, it is a normal dog that is transformed by the mind when under the influence of the other hound, the unknown drug.  Where science was used to dismiss the fear of the supernatural in the original story, it is now the new fear.  Science is not just used to cure illnesses anymore, it can be used as a weapon and that is terrifying to people of the 21^st century.

The BBC’s “The Hounds of Baskerville” has transformed Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s 19^th century traditional Gothic story into a modern Gothic tale.  It transforms aspects of the original story to reflect modern fears of the military, science, and mental illness while also keeping true to traditional Gothic tropes.  The tropes make it so the film is noticeable Gothic but also because of this form of media, it is able to be “Gothed up” even more by the use of music and effects.  Adaptations like this one, the 1988 version, and others have allowed the story of Sherlock Holmes to live on for generations and will probably continue to do so for many more to come.

The Hound of the Baskervilles

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle brings the Gothic into the turn of the 20th century through his Sherlock Holmes novel The Hound of the Baskervilles. Throughout the novel there is a fear of the unknown.  The setting of the moor is a mysterious place where strange things tend to happen.  The sound of the hound’s moans are heard across the landscape, ponies sink to their death in the mire, and a spaniel goes missing.  Some of the characters are mysterious as well.  The escaped convict is hiding on the moor as well as another person who is later revealed to be Sherlock.  The Stapleton’s end up being the most important hidden identities which leads Sherlock to pinning Mr. Stapleton as guilty of the strange Baskerville deaths.  The hound itself is frightening because no one is ever really sure about it until the very end when it is killed.

Sherlock and Holmes vary in how they deal with these unknowns that cause fear.  Watson wants to think that he isn’t frightened by what is happening.  He wants Holmes to think that he is really helping to solve the case by writing him detailed descriptions of mostly irrelevant information.  He tries to appear brave with Sir Henry when they look for the convict.  However, on multiple occasions he says that he wishes Holmes were there with him.  This shows that he is not certain about what is going on and wants reassurance from Sherlock.

Sherlock believes that there is an explanation for everything and that there is no such thing as the supernatural.  When Watson tells him of his findings, Sherlock says he has already figured that much out.  He is able to detect small details and investigate things that Watson doesn’t even consider.  He is able to eliminate the fear of the unknown by quickly solving the mystery.  Because of this, he is a sense of security for Watson but at the same time, Sherlock also needs him to stay grounded.

Latin American Gothic

This past week, we read three short stories by Latin American authors.  They were “The Gospel According to Mark” by Jorge Luis Borges, “If You Touched My Heart” by Isabel Allende, and “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.  All of these stories contain traditional Gothic tropes, but are made culturally unique through the use of magical realism.

The traditional tropes in “The Gospel According to Mark” are the decaying ranch, superstition, bad weather, hidden identities, and class struggle.  There are many parallels between this story and the bible.  Not only is Espinosa the same age as Jesus was at the time of his death, but the flood is also like the one in the book of Genesis.  Magical realism plays a part at the very end of the story when Espinosa finds that the Gutres have deconstructed the beams of the ceiling and made a cross.  Although Borges does not describe what happens next, a reader with knowledge of the bible knows that the cross will be used to crucify Espinosa and this is terrifying.

Allende’s “If You Touched My Heart”, contains familiar themes of isolation, forbidden love, madness, and decay.  In this story, the maiden, Horentsia, is locked up in a decaying mill by the evil Peralta.  Magical realism comes into play when she is okay with being locked up.  It is frightening to the reader when Allende describes Horentsia’s physical deterioration by saying “she was unaware of the scales sprouting from her skin, or the silkworms that had spun a nest in her long, tangled hair, or the lead-coloured clouds covering her eyes already dead from peering into the shadows” (523).  Horentsia felt she was as pretty as ever and it is shocking that even after her rescue that she wanted to go back to where she was imprisoned in the mill.

Marquez’s “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” brings back the religious influence.  The traditional tropes found in this story are hidden identities, uncertainty, and deterioration.  There is magical realism throughout the whole story as the people try to figure out the angel.  They were confused because he is not what they would picture as a real angel that has descended from heaven.  Marquez describes him by saying “an unbearable smell of the outdoors, the back side of his wings was strewn with parasites and his main feathers had been mistreated by terrestrial winds” (2).  Not only did the angel appear to be decaying, but he also didn’t speak Latin.  Marquez is able to show how the people aren’t accepting of what is unfamiliar and he makes this point to criticize the church in this story.

The Latin American Gothic is full of political commentary shown through magical realism that goes along with the traditional Gothic tropes.  This magical realism helps emphasize the Gothic because it is uncanny.  It is the familiar being made unfamiliar that causes the reader to get scared but think at the same time and realize the underlying message that these authors are trying to convey.

European and Japanese influences in Howl’s Moving Castle

The story of Howl’s Moving Castle was originally a British novel by a Diana Wynne Jones.  It was adapted into a movie by Hayao Miyazaki of Japan.  Aspects of both cultures show through in the film adaptation as Miyazaki tried to create a movie that would appeal to different cultures. 

The film itself is undoubtedly Japanese.  It is made in the anime style that is the Japanese form of animation.  However, the characters themselves appear to be very Western.  They have light skin and big, light eyes.  Howl even has almost bleach blonde hair in the beginning.  The Gothic type characters in the movie are all cute which is characteristic of Japan.  They all dress in European style clothes and the buildings reflect the Gothic architecture style of Europe as well.  The city where Sophie lives is very industrialized which represents the European aspect but it is contrasted by the beautiful landscape of Japan. 

Even deeper than the outward appearances of the setting and characters are the distinct European and Japanese themes.  The war in the world is being caused because the prince is missing.  This aristocracy is a European characteristic.  There is a forbidden love between Sophie and Howl that is restricted by their hidden identities.  While these are more European themes, the actual love is more Japanese because it is less emotional than what is normally seen in Western stories.  This, along with other aspects of the plot, are somewhat confusing to Western viewers because they are used to having everything laid out for them.  In Japanese stories, the author expects the viewer to put the pieces together based on their own understanding.  Miyazaki tried to appeal to the Western viewers at the end by having there be a happy ending.  The Prince is found, Sophie and Howl can be together, and all is now good in the world.  However, the ending happens so fast and comes so unexpectedly after how confusing the story had been that it could leave viewers even more puzzled.  I think it just leaves a little more for the imagination and I believe that Miyazaki did a good job making the story appeal to both the Japanese and those used to European work.    

Howl’s Moving Castle

In reading through the IMDB reviews of Miyazaki’s Howl’s Moving Castle, I was surprised at the amount of people who said there is no plot to the movie.  I understand that some parts could be confusing at times, but I feel like overall, the plot was obvious.  IMDB reviewer “mergatroid-1” put it well by saying “I have seen a few reviewers complain that there is no plot, or the story is disjointed. As well as poor character development. All I can say is how very western of you.”  This is true. Although the story was originally written by Diana Wynne Jones of the UK, the movie was made Hayao Miyazaki of Japan.  We have seen through our study of the Gothic in this class that while there are similarities between the European, American, and Japanese, there are also some very distinct differences.  I think that in watching this movie, the viewer must look at it knowing that it is from Japan and not compare it to Western movies they are more familiar with.  

Mergatroid-1 also mentions how many of the reviews say there are loose ends that are not explained but in actuality, they are.  One of the examples is why the war is being fought. Mergatroid-1 says “these people should watch the movie again, I’m sure they will notice the answers the second time.”  I can relate to this comment because I have seen the movie once before and upon watching it again, I feel like I have a much better understanding of what happens.  I find it is that way with most things, you see and learn more and more each time you see it.

Howl’s Moving Castle is a beautiful and emotional movie that really captivated me. Miyazaki offers Western audiences something different than they are used to but also finds ways to make it appealing to them.  He does this by using famous Western actors for the voices and having a happy love story at the end.  After reading many reviews on IMDB, it seems that many people are happy with and throurouly enjoy this movie.  Those that don’t may just be expecting the usual Disney movie and need to watch it again and expand their minds.  This is a movie that all ages and types of people can enjoy.

Japanese Gothic vs. European and American

The Japanese Gothic maintains many of the traditional European Gothic tropes.  These include transgression, the supernatural, dark romance, decaying landscape, and madness, among others.  All of these tropes contribute to the main Gothic theme of Fear.  The Japanese tend to put influence on the roles of women, their transgression, and romance.

In “The Tattooer”, we see a woman who transgresses society’s belief about women being a subject to the patriarchy and becomes powerful over man.  While the woman does transgress patriarchy in European stories, it is not to the extent that Tanizaki writes.  The power of women was scary to men because it went against women’s traditional roles in society.  We also find minor differences in this story like the meaning of a spider to the Japanese versus how Americans see them.  To us, a spider invokes fear whereas someone from Japan sees it as a symbol of hard work.

“The Surgery Room” shows a woman who refuses to be given anesthesia for a major surgery because she fears she will reveal a dark secret she has been hiding from her husband.  While women in the traditional Gothic may have held secrets, they were holding them from their evil husband or father.  The Count in this story has given us no reason to suspect him of tyranny.  In the end, the woman kills herself to protect her secret of a forbidden love.  Where Americans might see this suicide as a symbol of defeat or cowardice, the Japanese view it as one of power because her secret was never revealed to her husband.

These differences in the European Gothic, American Gothic, and Japanese Gothic show how the underlying Gothic theme of Fear is influenced by the time and place it is occurring.  All have similar principles but are taken in different directions.  While change is a fear of all, different kinds of change stand out as being moreso for different times and cultures.

Graphic Novels and the Gothic

Gothic stories all have a creepy aspect to them but when pictures are included with the text, the story takes on a whole new dimension.  By seeing strange and scary images to go with the text, the reader is not just imagining the story, but visualizing it.  In regards to “The Sandman”, Gaiman is able to take the basic premise of Hoffman’s story of the same name and transform it in a way that appeals to 20th and 21st century audiences.  

Contrast between light and dark are one of the most prominent features in the story that help create the Gothic atmosphere.  Elements of horror are included in the story but are made Gothic through the use of irony.  In the chapter “24 Hours”, the people in the diner die, but not by the hands of John Dee.  Dee uses Dream’s ruby to control the people and in doing so, causes their own inner demons to kill themselves and each other.  This irony is uncanny because it makes readers unsettled knowing that these people were driven to insanity so easily without even knowing what was going on.  

Complex Gothic Definition

The Gothic is not something that cannot be easily defined, however, it is recognizable through similar tropes seen throughout the genre.  Some examples of these tropes are oppression of women, oppression by the church, forbidden love, fear of weather, fear of science, and supernatural events.  Through the use of these similar tropes, the stories invoke fear into the reader while teaching a lesson at the same time.  In Nathanial Hawthorne’s “Rappaccini’s Daughter”, we see how Beatrice is both oppressed by her father and by science.  She transgresses by killing herself at the end, thus ending the oppression.  This transgression is a way for the character to escape whatever restrictive situation they are in.  In this example, Beatrice is escaping the patriarchal ways of her father.  Transgression is another typical trope of the Gothic.   

Gothic stories will always take place in an eerie setting.  There is strong imagery that reinforces the reader’s uneasiness about the story.  Most often there is a decaying castle or other structure that is found in the woods.  Lightening and loud thunder also help to set the scene.  Weather was a frightening thing for those living in the 18^th and 19^th centuries that read many of these early gothic stories because there was no clear explanation for it yet.  The main character of a Gothic story is put into a situation where they are being oppressed and they must transgress in order to escape it.

There are other genres like Horror that may seem Gothic.  These other genres borrow tropes from the traditional Gothic but do not use them in the same way.  A Horror story may take place in a decrepit building in the dark with strange sounds, but it is not psychological like the Gothic is.  In a horror story, it is almost always obvious who the good and the bad guys are.  A Gothic story isn’t always as clear about what the reader should believe and the ending isn’t as black and white as a horror story ending.  In Alfred Hitchcock’s film Psycho, it is obvious that Norman Bates is indeed a psycho and ends up in an insane asylum.  However in Poe’s “Fall of the House of Usher”, the reader isn’t sure whether the main character was actually at the house or whether he was imagining the whole thing in his head.    

 By knowing about traditional Gothic tropes and ways they are used within the Gothic story, a reader is able to identify those stories that are truly Gothic or whether they simply draw influence from the Gothic.  Other genres like Horror may seem very similar to Gothic stories, there are differences that help set it apart as its own genre. 

The Yellow Wallpaper

“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilmore is about a woman who was put on bed rest following the birth of her child and it ultimately makes her go crazy.  Gilmore was writing from experience, as she had gone through the “rest cure” herself.  The story shows how women were oppressed by the patriarchal beliefs of society in the 19^th century.  

Her husband, John, was also her physician.   Following the birth of her child, John, forces her to stay alone in an old nursery for all hours of the day.  The windows in the room are barred, the floor scratched, and parts of the wallpaper torn.   She has to write in secrecy because John forbids her to do it.  By being forced to always be in that room, Charlotte becomes obsessed with the wallpaper.  She begins to believe that it moves and that someone is trapped behind it. She asks John if they can remove it and he says that it would make ger worse to “give in to such fancies.” When she tells John that she doesn’t think she is getting better he says to her “I beg of you, for my sake and for our child’s sake, as well as your own, that you will never one instant let that idea enter your mind! There is nothing so dangerous, so fascinating, to the temperament like yours. It is false and foolish fancy” (257).  As a physician and loving husband, he should listen to how she feels she is progressing, instead he just tells her that its bad for her to think.  His responces to her show how he repressed her imagination and refuses to listen to what she has to say.

By John forcing his own will on his wife, he helps to drive her into psychosis. At the end when John faints and his wife crawls over his body, Gilmore is showing a victory for women.  Feminists view this story as important to their movement because it shows oppression to women, but keeping with the belief could overthrow the patriarchy. 

“The Ruins of the Abbey of Fitz-Martin” Tropes

“The Ruins of the Abbey of Fitz-Martin” is a classic example of Gothic literature.  Traditional Gothic tropes are a large part of the story.  One of these is even listed in the title, the abbey.  When Sir Thomas comes to the Abbey, it is decayed and in bad shape.  It is scary and mysterious because it is an unfamiliar place that Sir Thomas and his family must explore.  Sir Thomas’ daughter, Rosaline, decides to explore past just the rooms of the abbey and find out about the death of the sister Anna.  In order to do so, she must enter the broken tower in which Jannette is afraid to enter.  Here she finds the story of Anna.  

In this story we discover a couple other Gothic tropes.  One of them is that of forced marriage.  Anna was in love with Vortimer, however, her father was forcing her to marry Sir Osmand.  She tries to escape but ends up dying in the end because of it.  This trope would’ve scared female readers because the idea of not being able to be with the person you love and being forced into being with someone else is not a comforting thought.  The way the author advises to address this fear ties into the trope of prophecies of doom in that you cannot control fate.  If you try to go against your destiny, you may end up dying in the end like Anna.

Upon Anna’s death comes another common Gothic trope, ghosts.  Once she dies, Anna comes back as a ghost to haunt her dishonest spouse.  She says “my mangled form, as now thou seest me, and dreams for ever of affright and terror, shall haunt thy thoughts with horror, nor shall even the grave recue thee from the tortures I await to inflict” (50).  By having Anna come back as a ghost, the author is trying to make a point that tormenting another person will haunt you forever. 

These are just a few examples of the Gothic tropes used in “The Ruins of the Abbey of Fitz-Martin” that scared readers in the 18^th century who read it.  In writing about them, the author was able to provide commentary on how to address these fears.