The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
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- Created by: sunnybunny28
- Created on: 15-10-23 19:58
How is Dr Sheppard characterised
in Chapter 1?
in Chapter 1?
Professional, intelligent, cultured
He reads Kipling
Dismissive, rude and denigrating of gossip, on initial reading this is amusing - Dry wit
The reader sympathises with him
He is established as a trustworthy and reliable narrator - Doctor
He reads Kipling
Dismissive, rude and denigrating of gossip, on initial reading this is amusing - Dry wit
The reader sympathises with him
He is established as a trustworthy and reliable narrator - Doctor
1 of 107
What does Dr Sheppard's attitude towards gossip reveal about his character?
He is arrogant, sarcastic and superior.
He underestimates gossip and his sister, which reflects how he underestimates everyone else in the novel, especially Poirot
He underestimates gossip and his sister, which reflects how he underestimates everyone else in the novel, especially Poirot
2 of 107
What are the 2 parallel stories in the novel?
the story told by Dr Sheppard
and
the plot created by Christie
and
the plot created by Christie
3 of 107
Features of Golden Age crime writing
established in the first chapter?
established in the first chapter?
Closed rural community
Social critique --> class, gender
Puzzle solving
The role of Gossip
Some glee or excitement surrounding a death
Social critique --> class, gender
Puzzle solving
The role of Gossip
Some glee or excitement surrounding a death
4 of 107
What does Sheppard's attitude towards his sister reveal about his character?
Reflects:
His wider sense of intellectual superiority
His arrogance
Feels threatened by her, is jealous of the success of her guesswork
He has an inflated sense of self-worth
His wider sense of intellectual superiority
His arrogance
Feels threatened by her, is jealous of the success of her guesswork
He has an inflated sense of self-worth
5 of 107
How is King's Abbot described?
What does it represent?
What does it represent?
"much like any other village"
it is a microcosm of English society in general
King's Abbot - a very stereotypical British name
it is a microcosm of English society in general
King's Abbot - a very stereotypical British name
6 of 107
Who was Ralph seen talking to the night before the Murder?
Mrs Ferrars
7 of 107
How did Roger Ackroyd's wife die?
Alcohol poisoning
8 of 107
What is Roger Ackroyd's job?
A wagon wheel manufacturer
9 of 107
Before Mrs Ferrars, who was Roger Ackroyd anticipated to propose to?
His housekeeper
Miss Russell
Miss Russell
10 of 107
What is Mrs Cecil Ackroyd's motive for killing Roger Ackroyd?
Not wanting him to remarry, to keep the inheritance
11 of 107
2 Red herrings in Chapter 2?
Miss Russell asking Dr Sheppard about poisons
Both Mr Ferrars and Ackroyd's first wife dying of alcohol poisoning
Both Mr Ferrars and Ackroyd's first wife dying of alcohol poisoning
12 of 107
Actual clue in Chapter 2?
Dr Sheppard being worried about Ralph talking to Mrs Ferrars
13 of 107
Characteristics of Christie's writing style?
Simple, straight forward descriptions
Prosaic language, little figurative language
Intricate and complicated plot
All red herrings link back to the plot
Dialogue heavy
Prosaic language, little figurative language
Intricate and complicated plot
All red herrings link back to the plot
Dialogue heavy
14 of 107
What effect does the situation being almost too formulaic have?
it is formulaic so readers would not expect
Christie to break one of the rules of detective fiction by having the narrator being the
murderer
Christie to break one of the rules of detective fiction by having the narrator being the
murderer
15 of 107
Describe Caroline's methods of detection?
Gossip, having people bring information to her,
some observation but mostly speculation and some "inspired guesswork"
some observation but mostly speculation and some "inspired guesswork"
16 of 107
What is the favourite pastime of the villagers according to Dr Sheppard?
Gossiping
17 of 107
What is significant about Roger Ackroyd's spending habits?
he subscribes liberally to parish funds, but is extremely mean in his personal expenditures
18 of 107
What kind of literature is Miss Russell fond of?
Detective fiction
19 of 107
What does Miss Russell talk about with
Dr Sheppard?
Dr Sheppard?
Veronal
Curare
Cocaine
Curare
Cocaine
20 of 107
How does Mrs Ferrars die?
overdose of Veronal
21 of 107
When Raglan asks Poirot how he solves cases he says that he listens to...
his little grey cells
22 of 107
What is Raglan's reasoning for suspecting Ralph?
shoeprints
Ralph being sighted from the hedge by Mary Black
Ralph being sighted from the hedge by Mary Black
23 of 107
What does Poirot find in the summerhouse
with Sheppard?
with Sheppard?
a piece of white cambric fabric
a goose quill
a goose quill
24 of 107
What does Sheppard think the white fabric in the summerhouse is from?
a handkerchief
25 of 107
How much does Roger Ackroyd leave
Flora in his will?
Flora in his will?
£20,000
26 of 107
What does Poirot retrieve from the goldfish pond?
A gold ring
27 of 107
What does Blunt reveal to Sheppard
in chapter 10?
in chapter 10?
That he knew Mrs Ferrars
and
That he came into a legacy and then lost it
and
That he came into a legacy and then lost it
28 of 107
What does Mrs Ackroyd insist has
happened to Roger?
happened to Roger?
that his death was an accident
29 of 107
Why does Dr Sheppard go to Marby
in chapter 11?
in chapter 11?
Poirot sends him to ask about Ursula Bourne
30 of 107
Chapter 11:
What does Caroline tell Poirot that Dr Sheppard does not?
What does Caroline tell Poirot that Dr Sheppard does not?
What Ralph was saying in the forest,
that Sheppard saw an American cruise line
captain as a patient.
that Sheppard saw an American cruise line
captain as a patient.
31 of 107
What is the problem with Inspector Raglan's 'evidence'?
He uses circumstantial evidence
e.g shoe prints and a sighting
he takes all of the witnesses at their word
e.g shoe prints and a sighting
he takes all of the witnesses at their word
32 of 107
Why does Raglan believe that Ralph has
escaped to and why?
escaped to and why?
America
He was seen in Liverpool, where the ships for America leave from
He was seen in Liverpool, where the ships for America leave from
33 of 107
Whose fingerprints does Poirot suggest are
on the dagger?
on the dagger?
Roger Ackroyd's
34 of 107
Why is Mrs Ackroyd grateful that Flora and Ralph's engagement was not announced>
Because Ralph is the prime suspect, their engagement would have reflected badly
on Flora
on Flora
35 of 107
Which of Sheppard's patients does Poirot claim he is interested in when he is talking to Caroline?
Miss Russell
36 of 107
How does Poirot know that the 'mysterious stranger' Sheppard saw was real?
Miss Gannet saw him a few minutes before Sheppard did, asking for directions to Fernly
37 of 107
Why does Poirot declare at the end of Chapter 13 that Ralph is innocent?
He has too many motives
38 of 107
In Chapter 14, why does Mrs Ackroyd call Dr Sheppard to visit her?
She is 'prostreated' because Poirot is 'bullying' them. She wants him to tell Poirot that she was looking for the will, to make Poirot understand.
39 of 107
What important information does Mrs Ackroyd reveal to Dr Sheppard?
That there is something off about Ursula
That Ursula saw her looking for the will
Ursula wanted to see RA not the other
way around
She was worried that Ursula would say
something to RA about her looking for
the will
That Ursula saw her looking for the will
Ursula wanted to see RA not the other
way around
She was worried that Ursula would say
something to RA about her looking for
the will
40 of 107
What does Caroline reveal to Poirot has
come to her about?
come to her about?
The colour of Ralph Patton's shoes
41 of 107
What 'experiment' does Poirot conduct in Fernly?
To see whether Flora would be able to get past Parker, to see whether conversations in the study could be heard from the terrace
42 of 107
Perception of gossip?
Low morals
Degrading
Judgement
Unmarried woman's activity
Negative connotations
Female discourse
Lower grade information
Way of sharing information
Degrading
Judgement
Unmarried woman's activity
Negative connotations
Female discourse
Lower grade information
Way of sharing information
43 of 107
Idea as to why unmarried women gossip?
they are unfulfilled
they do not have husbands or children
to look after
they do not work
they do not have husbands or children
to look after
they do not work
44 of 107
How does Gossip change when passed on to the detective?
Between women, the gossip is
untrustworthy and low grade.
In the hands of the male detective the
information becomes valued evidence
untrustworthy and low grade.
In the hands of the male detective the
information becomes valued evidence
45 of 107
Flora's financial situation?
Trapped - no father, no husband, no money
relies on her uncle
Needs money so that she can be free
Because of her class she cannot work,
but needs to keep up appearances,
though she cannot afford to.
relies on her uncle
Needs money so that she can be free
Because of her class she cannot work,
but needs to keep up appearances,
though she cannot afford to.
46 of 107
Ursula and class?
She is a lady
She must work because her family has fallen
upon hard times, she could be a governess
but chooses to be a maid.
Because of her apparent class she must keep
her marriage to Ralph secret
She must work because her family has fallen
upon hard times, she could be a governess
but chooses to be a maid.
Because of her apparent class she must keep
her marriage to Ralph secret
47 of 107
How are the female characters of the novel defined?
Defined by their relationship to men
or the absence of men
or the absence of men
48 of 107
How does Flora rationalise
stealing the money?
stealing the money?
It is acceptable as it is a means
to her freedom
to her freedom
49 of 107
Caroline as a single woman?
Context?
Context?
Found a role managing her household and
looking after her brother.
Set between wars, lots of unmarried women
looking after her brother.
Set between wars, lots of unmarried women
50 of 107
When does Poirot start to distance himself
from Dr Sheppard?
from Dr Sheppard?
Chapter 15
51 of 107
How is Major Blunt characterised?
Manly
Taciturn
Military
Taciturn
Military
52 of 107
Significance of Crime novels?
'Trashy'
Read by Caroline, Poirot and Miss Russell
Crime novels are what ultimately solve the case.
Sheppard is writing a book in the genre he reviles
Christie defending real life 'Trashy' novels
Read by Caroline, Poirot and Miss Russell
Crime novels are what ultimately solve the case.
Sheppard is writing a book in the genre he reviles
Christie defending real life 'Trashy' novels
53 of 107
Key pages for examples of metafiction?
Chapter 14: Pages 163-164
Chapter 27: Pages 296-297
Chapter 27: Pages 296-297
54 of 107
In metafictional terms,
what is the most damning evidence against Sheppard?
what is the most damning evidence against Sheppard?
As Poirot points out,
the construction of the narrative lacking
a egocentric perspective.
When Poirot points this out the reader
is encouraged to question the reason for
this absence
the construction of the narrative lacking
a egocentric perspective.
When Poirot points this out the reader
is encouraged to question the reason for
this absence
55 of 107
Caroline and Dr Sheppard being prejudiced?
Jump to conclusions and generalisations
Poirot being a hairdresser
Christie is making jokes at their expense, their initial analyses of Poirot are wrong.
Poirot being a hairdresser
Christie is making jokes at their expense, their initial analyses of Poirot are wrong.
56 of 107
Evidence of unreliable narrator in chapter 3?
Sheppard's conversation with Ralph is cut
off at the end of the chapter
off at the end of the chapter
57 of 107
Effect of Poirot's introduction delayed?
- More intruiging, increases his status
- Funny, for readers who already know
Poirot as the detective
- Endears the reader to Sheppard, shows
how stupid he is
- Funny, for readers who already know
Poirot as the detective
- Endears the reader to Sheppard, shows
how stupid he is
58 of 107
Analysis of Poirot having
"suspiciously black hair"?
"suspiciously black hair"?
Reason that Caroline and Sheppard assume
he is a hairdresser
Poirot as vain
Effeminate - men should not think about
their appearance too much
he is a hairdresser
Poirot as vain
Effeminate - men should not think about
their appearance too much
59 of 107
How does Christie establish Poirot as foreign?
Uses French, monsieur etc.
Strange syntax and grammar
Weird use of language
Idiomatic speech
Strange syntax and grammar
Weird use of language
Idiomatic speech
60 of 107
Chapter 3:
How does Christie lull the reader into a
false sense of security about Sheppard?
How does Christie lull the reader into a
false sense of security about Sheppard?
Poirot mentions similarities between
Dr Sheppard and Hastings
Reader thinks she is creating just
another sidekick character
Dr Sheppard and Hastings
Reader thinks she is creating just
another sidekick character
61 of 107
Clue that Poirot is the detective before he is introduced as one?
He gets a detailed description and
he is separate from the other characters
he is separate from the other characters
62 of 107
How does Chapter 5 begin?
Sheppard arriving at Fernly, he tells Parker
about the call, which Parker denies making
about the call, which Parker denies making
63 of 107
What do Sheppard and Parker use to
break down the study door?
break down the study door?
A heavy oak chair
64 of 107
Who is said to be the last person
who saw Ackroyd alive?
who saw Ackroyd alive?
Flora Ackroyd
65 of 107
Who does Inspector Raglan
initially suspect?
What does this show about him?
initially suspect?
What does this show about him?
Parker the butler
Reveals him as incompetent within
the conventions of the genre
Reveals him as incompetent within
the conventions of the genre
66 of 107
Where is the phone call that Dr Sheppard
received the night of the murder traced to?
received the night of the murder traced to?
A public phone at Kings Abbot
station at 10:15
station at 10:15
67 of 107
Who tells Poirot about the visit from the dictaphone salesman?
Raymond
68 of 107
Why does Poirot lose interest in Raymond as a suspect?
Poirot asks Colonel Melrose about Raymond's
pastimes, he learns that he is not
interested in horse races
Not in need for money from gambling
pastimes, he learns that he is not
interested in horse races
Not in need for money from gambling
69 of 107
Poirot using 'modern' detection methods?
Uses psychoanalysis
Gaining popularity in the 1920s
Gaining popularity in the 1920s
70 of 107
Police as incompetent?
The Inspector is characterised as certain
Suggested tendency for shortcuts
Does not question suspects alibis
Jumps to conclusions - suspects servants
Constructed scenario based on very little evidence, lacks imagination
Suggested tendency for shortcuts
Does not question suspects alibis
Jumps to conclusions - suspects servants
Constructed scenario based on very little evidence, lacks imagination
71 of 107
How does Inspector Raglan construct his scenario of the night of the murder?
Based off of suspects testimonies, but
does not question their validity.
Constructs scenario backwards,
finding evidence to fit his theory
does not question their validity.
Constructs scenario backwards,
finding evidence to fit his theory
72 of 107
Quote for Sheppard doubting Poirot?
"Had his big reputation been built upon a
series of lucky chances?"
Page 95
series of lucky chances?"
Page 95
73 of 107
Characterisation of Poirot's investigation?
Forensic and hands on - Crawling around
on hands and knees looking for evidence
in summerhouse
Excited by evidence
Questions things more than the police
on hands and knees looking for evidence
in summerhouse
Excited by evidence
Questions things more than the police
74 of 107
At the start of Chapter 16, Mah Jong is being played,what is its significance?
Sheppard's 'perfect winning'
foreshadows Sheppard being reckless and revealing himself
A closed circle of players
A game within a game/ a book within a book
Turning point -> Sheppard+ audience
An interlude
Ref. to Knox rule 'Chinaman' cannot be villain
Ch
foreshadows Sheppard being reckless and revealing himself
A closed circle of players
A game within a game/ a book within a book
Turning point -> Sheppard+ audience
An interlude
Ref. to Knox rule 'Chinaman' cannot be villain
Ch
75 of 107
Why does Miss Gannet think that
Ralph is staying hidden?
How does this theory contradict
Sheppard's plan?
Ralph is staying hidden?
How does this theory contradict
Sheppard's plan?
Staying away to draw suspicion away
from Flora as she was the last
to see Roger alive.
Sheppard relies on Ralph staying away
to make him look more guilty
from Flora as she was the last
to see Roger alive.
Sheppard relies on Ralph staying away
to make him look more guilty
76 of 107
Where and why does Caroline think Ralph has gone?
Cranchester
People would think he would go further
away from King's Abbot
People would think he would go further
away from King's Abbot
77 of 107
What does Sheppard reveal when he is
'reckless by his triumph' in winning?
'reckless by his triumph' in winning?
That a ring engraved with 'from R.'
and a date was found
and a date was found
78 of 107
How was Parker involved in blackmail in the past?
His last master, Major Ellerby, was addicted
to drugs and implicated in someone's
death in Bermuda
to drugs and implicated in someone's
death in Bermuda
79 of 107
How much is it revealed that Mrs Ferrars
paid out to her blackmailer?
paid out to her blackmailer?
£20,000
80 of 107
What is Charles Kent's alibi for the supposed time of the murder?
He was in a fight in The Dog and Whistle
^ one mile from Fernly
^ one mile from Fernly
81 of 107
What truth does Flora reveal in Chapter 19?
That she took the £40
That she did not SEE Ackroyd, she was
upstairs taking the money, not in the study
That she did not SEE Ackroyd, she was
upstairs taking the money, not in the study
82 of 107
What does Poirot reveal to Blunt at
the end of Chapter 19?
the end of Chapter 19?
That Flora loves him
83 of 107
Why does Poirot pretend that Ralph Patton has been found in Liverpool on the point of embarking for America?
- To catch out Sheppard
- To leave it free for Flora to declare her love
for Blunt, thinking that Ralph has abandoned
her
- Puts articl
- To leave it free for Flora to declare her love
for Blunt, thinking that Ralph has abandoned
her
- Puts articl
84 of 107
What lie does Caroline tell, why?
Says that she is vegetarian.
Sheppard invited Poirot over for lunch but
they only had two chops, so she lies to save embarrassment
Sheppard invited Poirot over for lunch but
they only had two chops, so she lies to save embarrassment
85 of 107
How does Caroline talk about Sheppard?
As if he is weak
"weak as water"
and she is the person closest to him,
she considers herself to be his protector
"weak as water"
and she is the person closest to him,
she considers herself to be his protector
86 of 107
How does Poirot describe Mrs Ferrars, when he is profiling the murderer?
"the goose that layed the golden egg"
87 of 107
What page does Poirot profile the murderer?
211-212
88 of 107
How is Poirot presented in Chapter 19?
How
How
Paternal and compassionate towards Flora
kind and sympathetic towards Bunt
Patronising towards Raglan
Pompous
kind and sympathetic towards Bunt
Patronising towards Raglan
Pompous
89 of 107
What is the irony of when Poirot is his most effective?
Poirot is at his most effective when Sheppard and Raglan think that he is at his least
90 of 107
How is Poirot and Raglan's relationship
presented?
How do they respond to each other?
presented?
How do they respond to each other?
Raglan is perplexed by Poirot and Poirot is
a bit patronising.
Raglan is "disgruntled" by the case, but
Poirot remains calm.
Poirot is irritated by Raglan, he uses harsher speech and is less charming
a bit patronising.
Raglan is "disgruntled" by the case, but
Poirot remains calm.
Poirot is irritated by Raglan, he uses harsher speech and is less charming
91 of 107
Howe is Dr Sheppard's attitude towards Poirot presented in Chapter 19?
He is gossiping with Raglan about Poirot's nephew, despite his own disdain for Caroline gossiping.
He is saying that Poirot has lost his touch.
He is saying that Poirot has lost his touch.
92 of 107
Assumptions in the novel?
Assumptions throughout the novel are
nearly always wrong.
Except Poirot's assumption that
everyone is lying
Raglan assumptions are based
on stereotypes
Poirot theorises, Raglan assumes
nearly always wrong.
Except Poirot's assumption that
everyone is lying
Raglan assumptions are based
on stereotypes
Poirot theorises, Raglan assumes
93 of 107
Examples of Poirot being theatrical?
Gathering all of the suspects together for
the denouement
Drawing back a physical curtain to reveal Ralph
the denouement
Drawing back a physical curtain to reveal Ralph
94 of 107
What is Ralph's "innate weakness"?
Choosing the easy solution
e.g agreeing to marry Flora even though
he is in love with Ursula
e.g agreeing to marry Flora even though
he is in love with Ursula
95 of 107
What event reveals the price of the truth?
Ursula revealing her marriage to Ralph to Roger.
Losing job, being disinherited,
Losing job, being disinherited,
96 of 107
Why is Poirot successful?
It is only he that could solve the case,
he is an outsider and all of the other
characters are suspects.
A moral relativism
Poirot always priorotises ethics > law
he is an outsider and all of the other
characters are suspects.
A moral relativism
Poirot always priorotises ethics > law
97 of 107
Examples of Poirot having complete control in Chapter 23?
He has set the stage in his own house
His look makes the other characters fall silent
He tells Mrs Ackroyd that she cannot leave.
His look makes the other characters fall silent
He tells Mrs Ackroyd that she cannot leave.
98 of 107
Examples of Poirot's method of detection
relying on deception?
relying on deception?
The paragraph in the paper
He assumes deception
He withholds information
He assumes deception
He withholds information
99 of 107
Why does Sheppard think that Poirot has
not gone straight to Raglan with
his suspicions?
not gone straight to Raglan with
his suspicions?
He thinks Poirot does not know who the
murderer is and that he is trying to force a confession
murderer is and that he is trying to force a confession
100 of 107
How did the telephone call lead Poirot to find out who the murderer was?
It wasn't Ralph and it wasn't anyone
in the house.
It was the perfect reason for Sheppard to
return to Fernly and clear the crime scene
in the house.
It was the perfect reason for Sheppard to
return to Fernly and clear the crime scene
101 of 107
What was the significance of the chair being pulled out from the wall?
It hid the table with the dictaphone
102 of 107
Why did Poirot eliminate Parker from his suspicions 'at once' ?
He was the one person certain to be around
at the time of discovery
He points out the chair to Poirot
at the time of discovery
He points out the chair to Poirot
103 of 107
What discrepanccy in timing made Poirot realise that it might be Sheppard?
Sheppard took 10 minutes to do the
5 minute walk from the house
to the lodge on a chilly night
5 minute walk from the house
to the lodge on a chilly night
104 of 107
How is Sheppard supposed to have lost the money he got from Mrs Ferrars?
Lost it on speculations
105 of 107
Who made the phonecall on the night of the murder?
The American cruise steward
106 of 107
What does Sheppard say about his
responsibility for Mrs Ferrars' death ?
responsibility for Mrs Ferrars' death ?
He does not take any responsibility for it
"A direct consequence of her own actions"
"no pity for her"
"A direct consequence of her own actions"
"no pity for her"
107 of 107
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
What does Dr Sheppard's attitude towards gossip reveal about his character?
Back
He is arrogant, sarcastic and superior.
He underestimates gossip and his sister, which reflects how he underestimates everyone else in the novel, especially Poirot
He underestimates gossip and his sister, which reflects how he underestimates everyone else in the novel, especially Poirot
Card 3
Front
What are the 2 parallel stories in the novel?
Back
Card 4
Front
Features of Golden Age crime writing
established in the first chapter?
established in the first chapter?
Back
Card 5
Front
What does Sheppard's attitude towards his sister reveal about his character?
Back
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