Overbearing, Rich, and Idiomatic: The Americans of Agatha Christie
Jun 29, 2024
auto_awesome
Discussing the portrayal of American characters in Agatha Christie's works, exploring their diversity from wealthy and overbearing to kind and modest. Unveiling interesting parallels in the novels, LGBTQIA+ representation, and acts of kindness and rejection at a casino. Delving into historical insights and the American influence on Christie's storytelling.
Agatha Christie's character Uritisi Spragg in 'Motive versus Opportunity' showcases distrust towards American psychic mediums.
'Cat Among the Pigeons' could have been a better fit for a Tommy and Tuppence novel with a boarding school setting.
In 'A Murder is Announced,' Christie's attention to detail includes references to innovative Swiss goiter treatments for added realism.
Deep dives
Uritisi Spragg and Family - Motive versus Opportunity
In the early Miss Marple short story 'Motive versus Opportunity,' Uritisi Spragg and her husband Absalom Spragg, both Americans, are portrayed with outlandish character names. Uritisi is a psychic medium who the reader is meant to distrust, while Absalom's family angle adds complexity to their quest for inheritance.
Boarding School Links - Cat Among the Pigeons
A listener suggests that 'Cat Among the Pigeons' could have been a more natural fit as a Tommy and Tuppence novel due to its boarding school setting, involving their daughters Deborah and Betty. The humor and investigative nature of the Beresfords would have added depth, although it might diminish the character of Miss Bulstrode, aligned more with espionage plots.
Medical History Ties - A Murder is Announced
In 'A Murder is Announced,' Agatha Christie mentions innovative Swiss treatments for goiter, reflecting real historical issues with goiter in Switzerland due to lack of iodine sources. This detail adds a factual basis to the novel's setting and medical references, showcasing Christie's attention to realism amidst her fictional narratives.
Jane Wilkinson from Lord Edgware Dies
Jane Wilkinson from Lord Edgware Dies is crowned the top American in Agatha Christie's works. Jane, a fabulous actress, is revealed to be one of Christie's cleverest murderers. She embodies the ugly American stereotype in the novel but also emerges as a central figure in one of Christie's greatest love triangles. Her dramatic letter confessing to her crimes showcases her complex and memorable character.
Marina Gregg from The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side
Marina Gregg from The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side earns the silver medal as one of the best portrayals of a murderer in Agatha Christie's works. Despite committing heinous acts, such as killing three people and mistreating her adopted children, Marina remains a sympathetic character. Christie skillfully reveals Marina's true nature from the start, making her actions feel inevitable and satisfyingly true to her character.
It's time to discuss those pesky Americans who appear in the Christie canon, and answer such burning questions as: Are all Americans millionaires? (Alas, no.) Do all Americans speak solely by way of idiom? (Happily, no.) I was also able to answer a ton of mailbag questions, which involved one hundred percent more Spice Girls than I expected it to.
The following titles are spoiled to varying degrees in this episode: The Actress; After the Funeral; The Big Four; A Caribbean Mystery; Cat Among the Pigeons; Death on the Nile; Destination Unknown; Endless Night; Evil Under the Sun; Lord Edgware Dies; The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side; Motive v. Opportunity; The Mousetrap (though only in a minor way), Mrs. McGinty’s Dead; A Murder is Announced, Murder on the Orient Express; The Soul of the Croupier; Sparkling Cyanide; They Do It With Mirrors.
To visit and subscribe to the podcast's Patreon page, click here.