Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
What does “post‑apocalyptic” mean?
That a story is set after an apocalypse.
What is the name of the place where the mystery happens?
Dartmoor
What is the main role of a detective in a story?
To solve a mystery, usually a crime such as a murder.
Name one common horror element.
Any of the following: isolated setting, supernatural creature, constant danger for protagonists.
What is the person who controls the camera and light in a scene called?
Cinematographer
Name a common feature of post-apocalyptic stories.
abandoned cities, survival, collapse of society
How do Sherlock and Watson gain access to Baskerville Military Base?
With the help of a card that Sherlock got from Mycroft.
Aside from Sherlock Holmes, which famous detective pears both in film and in a novel?
Mrs. Marple
Describe why the Hound of the Baskervilles is NOT a horror story?
Because the Hound is not real.
Which camera angle makes a character look powerful or dominant?
Low camera angle.
Give the title of one famous post-apocalyptic book or film.
Fallout, the Road, Last of Us, Walking Dead,
Describe the moment Sherlock admits he saw the hound. What does this reveal about him?
Beside the inn’s fireplace, he trembles and confesses to John, revealing he’s vulnerable and emotional.
What is a “red herring” in detective fiction, and why is it used?
A misleading clue meant to distract the detective and the reader/viewer from the real solution.
Give the term that describes a dark or gloomy feeling in a story.
Atmosphere
What is it called when the camera moves slowly across a scene?
Panning shot
How do these stories often show hope among characters?
Through their relationship and their will to survive.
How does Sherlock realize what “H.O.U.N.D.” stands for, and why is it important?
He decodes “H.O.U.N.D.” as the acronym for a secret gas weapon project (“Liberty, Indiana”), showing the hound was a hallucination.
Explain the typical structure of a detective story using the three-act model.
Act 1 – Introduction of the crime and characters;
Act 2 – Investigation and rising tension;
Act 3 – Revelation of the truth and resolution.
What is a jump scare?
A moment where the audience is not expecting something to happen but it happens.
How do lighting and shadow influence the mood of a scene?
Increase fear and tension.
Explain how settings like deserts or ruined landscapes contribute to the meaning of the story.
Two answers: they either show how nature recovers after the collapse of society or highlight the ruins of humanity.
Explain how both Sherlock and Watson experience fear in the episode, and how these moments affect their relationship.
Sherlock breaks down with fear after seeing the hound in the hollow; Watson panics in the lab when trapped and hearing growls. These shared moments of vulnerability deepen their mutual respect and trust.
How does the detective’s method (e.g. observation, logic, deduction) reflect their personality or values?
For example, Holmes uses cold logic and keen observation, showing his analytical and detached nature; Poirot focuses on psychology and order, reflecting his belief in justice and balance.
Explain how horror uses sound and silence to create tension.
Screeching and dissonant noises disorient the audience.
Silence can make them feel unease
Describe how shot composition can highlight a moment of tension or fear.
tilted angle -> makes viewer feel disoriented
extreme close shots -> highlight emotions
over-the-shoulder shots -> put viewer in position of victim