In Tom Stoppard's cleverly delineated play, The Real Inspector Hound, he simply seeks to parody the genre of traditional detective fiction. The play neither criticizes nor parodies the genre to the detriment of the genre, but merely mocks it affectionately. Stoppard identifies classic techniques used in detective fiction and exaggerates them to such an extent that it makes the audience laugh at the ridiculousness of the genre. It parodies the typical layout and archetypal characters used in traditional detective stories. Stoppard adds to the fun of the play through the use of parallel plots that coalesce in absurd and unpredictable ways, creating a classic but twisted denouement. The Real Inspector Hound is a play that cleverly fulfills all the expectations of a parody and brings the audience to see the joke of traditional detective fiction. Stoppard imitates the classic layout of traditional detective fiction pieces by setting out the typical opening with a mysterious corpse in a quintessentially isolated setting. Birdboot says "no one will leave the house... It's a thriller! -Watch it!" (p. 11) suggesting that the structure of a detective fiction story is so archetypal that it is evident before the piece even begins. Although the play is set in a theater, the play within the play takes place at Muldoon Manor, specifically in "the drawing room of Lady Muldoon's country residence one early spring morning." (p. 15). It is also revealed that this mansion is further surrounded by "desolate marshes" (p. 13), "deadly swamps and fog" and near a "deserted cottage on the cliffs" (p. 29). This exaggeration of classic character isolation is an unflinching parody of the setting required in detective fiction stories similar to Aga...... middle of paper ...... the play in the play is the inspector Hound who is supposed to take on the role of Holmesian detective. This is where Stoppard differs from the character typicality as Hound seems clueless rather than knowledgeable. This is displayed when he exclaims "I'm going to call the police!" » (p. 34) then realizes that he is the police. Stoppard parodies and exaggerates our much-loved core characters in a way that makes them even more lovable. Finally, Stoppard parodies the classic denouement of traditional detective fiction with a final plot twist. Throughout the beginning of the detective fiction piece, Birdboot and Moon are constantly distracted by their soliloquies about their personal concerns. Birdboot continually expresses affection for his new "love" Cynthia and Moon continually expresses envy for Higgs' superior professional position..