Agatha Christie Chapter Analysis

Agatha Christie’s murder mystery novel A Murder is Announced, is full of complex, deceitful characters and an intense storyline that keeps the reader questioning every character’s motive. Each character in her novel has their own background story that gives insight to the main issue; the murder at Little Paddocks. Very often, however, these stories are full of unexpected twists and lies that challenge the reader’s ideas about who could be trying to kill Miss Blacklock, and why? Chapter twenty-one and chapter twenty-two both work to create the connection between character and plot because they show instances of a character revealing an idea that can change the whole outlook on the case completely. A constant theme throughout the novel is deceit

This is due to a vast amount of reasons, including the fact that the audience hears the alibis of each person regarding where they were at the time of Miss Murgatroyd’s murder. While this aspect of the chapter is important, one detail that is the most striking is the admission that Phillipa is actually Pip, the other daughter of Sonia Goedler. This part of the novel is a prime example of the deceitful nature of the characters and people in general. Christie writes, “The voice came from the shadows in the corner. Phillipa Haymes came forward, her face pale. ‘I’m Pip, Inspector.” The diction from this part of the chapter helps build upon the idea that many of the villagers from Chipping Cleghorn may have something to hide because there is a sense of suspicion and worry from the words “shadows” and “pale” (Christie 260). Christie says that she came from the shadows and this can be seen as a symbol for Phillipa finally revealing the truth about her identity. She is bringing herself into the light which at this point in the novel was such a shock to the reader. Christie also described Phillipa as being pale which can be accounted for by the fact that she was nervous to reveal herself to the other

After Mitzi reports that she believes Miss Blacklock is the murderer, the other characters seemingly brush her off as they do very frequently. It is in this chapter that the reader finally discovers that maybe Mitzi was on to something. After Mitzi’s outburst, Miss Blacklock joins her in the kitchen, confronts her, and Christie writes “Only I know that you’re telling the truth for once,” said Miss Blacklock viciously.” After this exchange of words, Miss Blacklock attempts to kill Mitzi. (Christie 265). In the line mentioned, Christie made it important to create the vicious tone. This is a side of Miss Blacklock that has never been seen before. In the previous chapters, “Letty” does a great job of keeping her composure, but now the audience is seeing the wicked side to her and everything is being pieced together. This part of the chapter is so important because it truly solidifies Christie’s lesson of not always being too trusting in people. The Letitia Blacklock that the reader and characters thought they knew throughout the novel was actually not even Letitia. While the reader followed this journey, Miss Blacklock was the last person that was thought to be behind it all. This, of course, is the message that Agatha Christie was attempting to convey. A person that someone can put so much trust into still has the capability of hiding the truth and being