The Murder of Roger Ackroyd: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" features an intricate web of characters surrounding the mysterious death of its wealthy protagonist, Roger Ackroyd. Hercule Poirot, the renowned Belgian detective, is drawn into the investigation after temporarily retiring to a quiet village. He is assisted by Dr. James Sheppard, the local physician and narrator, who provides valuable insights into the community and its inhabitants. Key figures include Caroline Sheppard, Dr. Sheppard's inquisitive sister, known for her gossip and strong opinions, and Captain Ralph Paton, Ackroyd's stepson, who becomes a primary suspect due to his troubled finances and dubious whereabouts. Additionally, Mrs. Cecil Ackroyd, Roger’s resentful sister-in-law, and her daughter Flora, engaged to Paton, add complexity to the familial dynamics. The story also highlights other residents like Elizabeth Russell, the enigmatic housekeeper, and Geoffrey Raymond, the witty secretary, all of whom contribute to the unfolding mystery. Each character embodies distinct traits and motives, creating a rich tapestry that Poirot must navigate to uncover the truth behind Ackroyd's untimely demise.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Agatha Christie
First published: 1926
Genre: Novel
Locale: King's Abbot, an English country village
Plot: Detective and mystery
Time: September and October during the early 1920's
Hercule Poirot (pwah-ROH), a famous Belgian detective. A member of the Belgian police before World War I, he entered private practice in Great Britain during the war. Poirot has temporarily retired to King's Abbot and is busily engaged in growing marrows (squash) when he is caught up in the investigation of the murder. He is short and lean, with many mannerisms, dyed black hair, an enormous mustache, and a great love of hot chocolate and sweet liqueurs. Many people think lightly of the Belgian when they first meet him. Poirot ignores the slights, however, and puts his complete faith in the “little grey cells” of his brain.
James Sheppard, the local doctor and the narrator of the action. He is the most important witness to the events that precede the murder and acts as Poirot's aide. The quiet, middle-aged physician is the friend of many of the people directly and indirectly involved in the mystery surrounding his friend Ackroyd's death and so is able to supply Poirot with information about their personalities, and even about some of their medical problems.
Caroline Sheppard, the doctor's elder sister, who lives with him. She is one of the best sources of village gossip, and her brother is always trying to circumvent her curiosity about his medical practice, usually with little success. Caroline is sure of her own opinion about everything, including that everyone in the village, even her beloved brother, has to be watched for his or her own good.
Roger Ackroyd, the murdered man, a middle-aged and very wealthy industrialist. According to Dr. Sheppard, he looked like a beefy local squire from a Victorian melodrama. His fiancée, Mrs. Ferrars, committed suicide the night before his murder. The day of her suicide, she confessed that she had murdered her husband the previous year and had been blackmailed since that time. Wanting to get hold of the blackmailer but afraid of causing publicity, Ackroyd is murdered before he can decide what to do. The letter he had received from the late Mrs. Ferrars is missing from the murder scene.
Captain Ralph Paton, Ackroyd's stepson from his first marriage, a handsome and irresponsible young man who is deeply in debt. He was in town at the time of both the suicide and the murder but had not told his stepfather. Caroline heard someone in the woods with a young woman the day before the murder but was not able to find out that it was Paton. All the circumstantial evidence points to Paton's guilt, and he had also disappeared the night of the murder.
Mrs. Cecil Ackroyd, Roger Ackroyd's impoverished sister-in-law, who subsists on handouts from him. Mrs. Ackroyd disliked her parsimonious brother-in-law and was counting on his money to set her up in an independent lifestyle. She is not above petty theft, sometimes selling small and valuable items from Ackroyd's house to keep herself in the manner she believes she deserves. Although basically incompetent in all areas, Mrs. Ackroyd assumes she knows best how everyone in the household should run his or her life.
Flora Ackroyd, Mrs. Ackroyd's beautiful daughter. To please her uncle and her mother, she had agreed to marry Paton, even though she is in love with Ackroyd's best friend, Major Blunt, one of the houseguests at the time of the murder. Flora convinces Poirot to come out of retirement and solve the murder, thus clearing Paton. She also claims to have talked to Ackroyd after the time he was probably murdered.
Elizabeth Russell, the latest of Ackroyd's attractive housekeepers, usually in their late thirties or early forties. Caroline and the other scandalmongers were always waiting for one of these housekeepers to marry Ackroyd, and they all presumed Russell to be angry about Ackroyd's relationship with Mrs. Ferrars. Dr. Sheppard is more interested in why the normally very reserved housekeeper had been asking him about poisons the morning before the murder.
Ursula Bourne, Ackroyd's attractive young maid. She is in love with Paton, which caused the angry Ackroyd to fire her the day he was murdered.
Parker, Ackroyd's nervous butler, who had made a fair amount of money blackmailing his previous employer until his death. He is always near the room where Ackroyd met his death but claims to know little of value.
Geoffrey Raymond, Ackroyd's handsome and very efficient young secretary. Although in debt because of heavy betting at the racetrack, and with an incomplete alibi, Raymond is the one member of the Ackroyd household to keep his sense of humor and sense of perspective: He treats the entire experience as a unique adventure.