Poirot
How much time does Poirot say it took for the murder to be committed? (look on pages 90-95)
Quarter of an hour (15 mins)
Compare and Contrast Christie and Poe's writing.
Compare: they both write stories involving murder, crime, and mystery
Contrast: Poe's tone is darker and more violent while Christie's is lighter and more like a puzzle.
What is Agatha Christies tone throughout the novel? Find evidence from the text.
light, not dark or violent
What did they find in the summer house? (2 answers)
goose quill
a fragment of a handkerchief
Poirot points out that everyone in the novel is hiding something from him. Do you think Poirot knows more than we believe? Why or why not?
Multiple Answers. Full points for good arguments.
Compare Watson and Sheppard.
They are both doctors, both have an understanding of the detective's behavior.
"Poirot became suddenly very foreign in manner, as he often did when excited over anything." (page 139)
What did Poirot and Sheppard conclude about what the goose quill was used for? Look on pages 150-153.
It is a way to smuggle drugs out of the United States. (Page 151)
What do you think is in the blue envelope that was stolen the night of Roger Ackroyd’s murder?
Opinion Question
What are some things that Poirot thinks are important when investigating a crime? Find evidence from the text.
Don't listen to everything people say.
“always bear in mind that the person who speaks may be lying” (p. 149)
Compare Poirot and Sherlock Holmes.
They are both intelligent men and rely on their own logic and critical thinking skills.
Fun Fact! - Christie was inspired by Doyle's murderous and mysterious writing.
Find a significant example from the text where Christie presents small town gossip.
Caroline receives information from people in the town and shares it with Dr. Sheppard. (ex. page 133)
How does the story act as puzzle that the characters want to solve rather than an emotional and violent murder?
None of the characters react to Roger Ackroyd's death in a way that causes the readers to be emotionally invested.
In this section of the reading, name two characters that have a possible motive for the murder of Roger Ackroyd. What was their motive?
Ralph Paton: "motive. Ralph Paton inherits a great fortune by his uncle's death."
Ursula Bourne: she was fired the same day that Roger Ackroyd died
Find an example of when Christie uses one of Van Dyne's rules and where she goes against one of his rules.
There is a corpse. There is a detective.
Sheppard admires Flora and that goes against the love interest rule of Van Dyne's. (page 101) Also, Flora and Ralph are engaged.
As the reading continues, we see the dynamic between Caroline and Dr. Sheppard. Describe their relationship, and does it differ from a normal brother/sister relationship?
Multiple Answers. (page 132)
Poirot uses many techniques and strategies with suspects when he investigates his crimes. What are some of the investigative strategies/techniques Poirot uses when investigating Mr. Ackroyd’s murder? Are they successful? Why or why not?
Poirot does not give people insight on what he suspects or what he is thinking
Name 3 characters that were in Roger Ackroyd's will. What did they get?
Mrs. Cecil Ackroyd - 10,000 pounds worth of shares during her lifetime
Miss Flora Ackroyd - 20,000 pounds outright
Ralph Paton - the property and shares
Miss Russell (housekeeper) - 1,000 pounds
Emma Cooper (cook) - 50 pounds
Mr. Geoffrey Raymond (secretary) - 500 pounds
(Page 113)