By Agatha Christie
“Murder on the Orient Express” by Agatha Christie is a classic mystery novel that employs a variety of literary devices to create a compelling and suspenseful story. Through the use of foreshadowing, red herrings, and unreliable narrators, Christie keeps readers guessing until the very end. The novel also features a cast of rich and complex characters, each with their own motivations and secrets, and uses vivid descriptions and settings to create a sense of atmosphere and tension.
In this guide you’ll learn:
Themes 📚
- Justice – The novel explores the concept of justice and the ways in which it can be achieved or obstructed.
- Moral Ambiguity – The novel examines the moral ambiguity of the characters and the choices they make, blurring the line between right and wrong.
- Identity – The novel explores the theme of identity and the ways in which individuals present different versions of themselves to the world.
- Deception – The novel features a number of characters who engage in deception and manipulation, highlighting the ways in which trust can be betrayed.
- Power and Control – The novel explores the theme of power and control, particularly in relation to the dynamics between characters of different social classes and positions of authority.
- Isolation – The novel features a confined setting and emphasizes the theme of isolation, highlighting the impact of confinement on individual psychology.
- The Complexity of Human Relationships – The novel examines the intricate and often fraught relationships between individuals, and the ways in which these relationships are shaped by societal norms and prejudices.
- The Nature of Truth – The novel explores the theme of truth and the ways in which it can be manipulated or obscured.
- Memory and Perception – The novel emphasizes the role of memory and perception in the investigation of the crime, highlighting the ways in which individuals can interpret events differently.
- Redemption – The novel explores the theme of redemption, particularly in relation to the character of the detective, Hercule Poirot, and his own moral code.
Use of Literary Devices ✍🏽
- Narrative Framing – The novel employs a framing device, with the narrator and detective Hercule Poirot recounting the events of the murder investigation after the fact.
- Unreliable Narration – The novel uses unreliable narration to create suspense and uncertainty, particularly in the depiction of the different characters’ motivations and alibis.
- Foreshadowing – The novel uses foreshadowing to create tension and anticipation, particularly in the lead-up to the murder itself.
- Red Herrings – The novel employs red herrings, or false clues, to mislead readers and keep them guessing about the true identity of the murderer.
- Characterization – The novel features rich and complex characterizations, particularly of the different suspects, each with their own unique motivations and secrets.
- Irony – The novel uses irony to create contrast and to highlight the moral ambiguities of the characters and their actions.
- Symbolism – The novel employs symbolism, particularly in the use of the train and the isolated setting, to emphasize the themes of confinement and isolation.
- Mystery and Suspense – The novel is structured as a classic mystery, with a carefully crafted plot that keeps readers guessing until the final reveal.
- Dialogue – The novel uses dialogue to reveal character and to advance the plot, particularly in the interrogations of the different suspects.
- Twist Ending – The novel features a twist ending that subverts readers’ expectations and turns the investigation on its head, revealing a surprising and unexpected conclusion.
Examples of Literary Devices 📋
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The unusual behavior of the passengers | Their behavior foreshadows the shocking reveal of their collective involvement in the murder. |
| M. Bouc’s assertion that the case is impossible to solve | This foreshadows Poirot’s exceptional skills in solving even the most complex cases. |
| Poirot hearing a woman’s voice in the night | This foreshadows the involvement of a woman in the murder. |
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Poirot’s vacation | It’s ironic that Poirot, a detective seeking a break from work, encounters a murder during his vacation. |
| The murder victim’s identity | Ratchett is revealed to be Cassetti, a notorious criminal, making the murder almost justified. |
| Poirot’s two solutions | The irony lies in the fact that both the solutions are possible, but the real one is the least expected. |
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The train being stuck | The suspense of the murder is heightened by the train being trapped in a snowdrift. |
| The contradictory evidence | The suspense builds as the evidence seems to point in several directions at once. |
| Poirot’s silence | Poirot’s habit of withholding his thoughts until he has solved the case increases the suspense. |
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The scarlet kimono | The kimono is intended to throw Poirot off the track, leading him to suspect the wrong person. |
| The pipe cleaner | This piece of evidence is meant to mislead Poirot into thinking Colonel Arbuthnot is involved. |
| The conductor’s uniform | The uniform is used to create a false alibi, misleading Poirot’s investigation. |
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The snow | The snow isolates the train, symbolizing the closed environment in which the murder takes place. |
| The broken watch | The watch symbolizes the time of the murder and plays a crucial role in solving the mystery. |
| The Orient Express | The train itself symbolizes a small cross-section of society, each with its secrets. |
FAQs 💭
What is foreshadowing, and how is it used in “Murder on the Orient Express”?
Foreshadowing is a literary device used to create tension and anticipation by hinting at future events. In “Murder on the Orient Express,” foreshadowing is used to hint at the identity of the murderer, as well as to create a sense of impending danger.
How does Agatha Christie use unreliable narration to create suspense?
What role does characterization play in the novel?
How does the novel use irony to highlight the moral ambiguities of the characters?
What is the significance of the setting and atmosphere in the novel?
What is a red herring, and how is it used in the novel?
A red herring is a false clue used to mislead readers and distract them from the true identity of the murderer. In “Murder on the Orient Express,” red herrings are used to create uncertainty and to keep readers guessing until the very end.