Murder on the Orient Express
The Scales of Justice and Society in Murder on the Orient Express
Murder on the Orient Express is more than just a murder mystery. It is a novel that utilizes a great deal of existing social issues of the era in which it was written and formed a commentary on those issues while giving the reader an intriguing yet approachable narrative. Through this approach, Agatha Christie has given the reader an opportunity to see the world through the eyes of the seasoned private investigator Hercule Poirot. In this world, nothing is at it seems and apparent coincidence belies a hidden truth, a world in which the geographical connections created by passenger railways allowed people of different nationalities and classes to rub elbows. Stereotypes of class and nationalities are both dominant social themes that persist throughout the novel. Social themes of crime, as well as good versus evil of the era also play an important role in the narrative. Americans, at least the two who freely admitted to being American, are comedic characters in the text. Hardman and Mrs. Hubbard use improper slang, are obnoxious, and think their country is the best, both caricatures of American males and females. The chapter detailing Mrs. Hubbard’s interview is actually named “The Evidence of the American Lady”. Hardman loses his persona at one point. Poirot notes this in the novel as though finally being able to accept him once the good-humored facade is gone. “At the same time his whole personality seemed to undergo a change. He became less of a stage character and more of a real person. The resonant nasal tones of his voice became modified” (136). This portrayal of Americans, while comedic, is a commentary on the generalized view of the United States and its citizens by much of the world. Mrs. Hubbard tells people that Europe needs Western ideals. While Hardman, who constantly speaks in awkward slang tells M. Bouc he would "learn a few go-ahead methods over there...Europe needs waking up.
Murder on the Orient Express is more than just a murder mystery. It is a novel that utilizes a great deal of existing social issues of the era in which it was written and formed a commentary on those issues while giving the reader an intriguing yet approachable narrative. Through this approach, Agatha Christie has given the reader an opportunity to see the world through the eyes of the seasoned private investigator Hercule Poirot. In this world, nothing is at it seems and apparent coincidence belies a hidden truth, a world in which the geographical connections created by passenger railways allowed people of different nationalities and classes to rub elbows. Stereotypes of class and nationalities are both dominant social themes that persist throughout the novel. Social themes of crime, as well as good versus evil of the era also play an important role in the narrative. Americans, at least the two who freely admitted to being American, are comedic characters in the text. Hardman and Mrs. Hubbard use improper slang, are obnoxious, and think their country is the best, both caricatures of American males and females. The chapter detailing Mrs. Hubbard’s interview is actually named “The Evidence of the American Lady”. Hardman loses his persona at one point. Poirot notes this in the novel as though finally being able to accept him once the good-humored facade is gone. “At the same time his whole personality seemed to undergo a change. He became less of a stage character and more of a real person. The resonant nasal tones of his voice became modified” (136). This portrayal of Americans, while comedic, is a commentary on the generalized view of the United States and its citizens by much of the world. Mrs. Hubbard tells people that Europe needs Western ideals. While Hardman, who constantly speaks in awkward slang tells M. Bouc he would "learn a few go-ahead methods over there...Europe needs waking up.