1) Define each vocabulary word 2) Answer the questions in complete sentences, min. 75 words each.
Map for Location References:
The Simplon-Orient Express (Map 1 – London – Vinkovci; Map 2 – Vinkovci – Istanbul)
The Taurus Express (Cairo/Basra/Teheran – Istanbul via Aleppo)
Part 1, Chapter 1
Vocabulary: valise, sally forth, pallor
French phrases to know: comme ça, mais oui, en voiture, enfin, jolie
1) We are introduced to our main character, Hercule Poirot, again from another’s perspective. How does this contrast to Holmes’ introduction as a character in circumstances and tone? How is Hercule Poirot different, not just in personality, but physically? How are they similar?
2) You will notice there is quite a bit of common French and dated references throughout the novel. None of the French is translated, however. What does this tell you about Christie’s target audience’s knowledge base?
3) The first two major characters are introduced, Miss Debenham and Col. Arbuthnot. Unlike in A Study in Scarlet, Agatha Christie often has all the suspects introduced in the novel before the crime is committed. You will need to create a “suspect log” (as demonstrated in class) in your journal that you can easily add to and reference. These are the first two entries. Ensure you add to them (and all latter entries) as you read!
4) What do you think Poirot means when he notes that the Colonel is “susceptible?”
Chapter 2
Vocabulary: bely, porter, berth, munificent
French phrases to know: ce qui est embêtant, mon vieux, en brosse, mon cher, comment, tout à fait au bout
1) A new set of characters for your log, Monsieur Bouc (n.b., M. = Monsieur), Mr. Ratchett, and Hector MacQueen
2) The situation over sleeping quarters is most interesting – what do you make of it? What are you thoughts on poor M. Harris? Additionally, Poirot makes a comment that he has “read [his] Dickens” and it is thus likely that M, Harris will not show. This is a reference to a Ms. Harris from a Charles Dickens novel, research this and explain the reference and what novel it comes from.
Chapter 3
Vocabulary: caprice
French phrases to know: elle, chic
1) Poirot and Bouc’s lunch conversation is quite interesting, and full of foreshadowing. What do you note is foreshadowing and what elements does Christie use to contrast it?
2) Some more characters for your suspect log: Princess Dragomiroff, The Hungarian Couple
3) M. Ratchett approaches Poirot and makes an interesting offer. What do you think of this and what do you think of Poirot’s response? What does this make you think about his (Poirot’s) character?
Chapter 4
French phrases to know: ce n’est rien, je me suis trompé, déjeuner
1) More characters for your suspect log: Mrs. Hubbard (elderly American lady – you will have to reread her description from Chapter 3 and record it properly), The Swedish Missionary (likewise, reread Chapter 3)
2) What do you think of Mr. Ratchett’s character based on how the others react to him and Poirot’s own reaction?
Chapter 5
Vocabulary: spruce (the adjective, not the tree)
French phrases to know: c’est entendu
1) Another character for your suspect log: Dr. Constantine
2) The crime has been reported! Record the initial details and sketch out what you have learned about the murder in your log (on a separate page from your suspects)
Chapter 6
Vocabulary: courier, memoranda, vexatious, valet
1) We are presented with initial evidence before examining the remains. What is brought to Poirot’s attention and what does he notice about it?
2) Update your logs for both MacQueen and Ratchett – the game’s afoot!
3) MacQueen makes an interesting comment, “You’ve got nothing on me” during his interview with Poirot. Do you think this bespeaks his innocence or guilt? Why?
Chapter 7
Vocabulary: cambric, elucidation
French phrases to know: que pensez vous de ça, c’est rigolo, tout ça
1) What do you note of good crime scene investigation practices on the parts of the train directors and Poirot? What do you note of bad CSI practices?
2) Make a detailed account of the room and the marks upon the remains in your crime scene log
3) In this chapter, there is a reference to a Sherlock Holmes’ affectation of evidence. What is it? How did you know?
4) Hercule Poirot performs an interesting experiment with the charred scrap of paper – is this science or fiction?
Chapter 8
Vocabulary: redolent
French phrases to know: Mon Dieu, rentes, quel animal, tout de même, mais non après vous
1) A shocking discovery is made as to Mr. Ratchett’s identity, record this and the details in your log.
2) How does Mr. Ratchett’s identity have a similar vibe as the victims in A Study in Scarlet? How is it different?
Part 2, Chapters 1-15
Vocabulary: ado, unduly, deprecating, voluble, snub (adj), adroitly, fallal, suffuse, rheumatic, abash, tattoo (not the skin art), sojourn, demur, impertinent, teetotaler, coquettish, impetuosity, truculent, perfunctory, stolidity, acquiesce, bequest
French phrases to know: caucehmar, ça se voit, vous n’éprouvez pas d’émotion, sangfroid, encore en peu, mais il n’y a rien à voir, ma foi, dans son caractère, c’est impayable, canaille, que s’excuse s’accuse
1) The next chapters will have you expand and add to your observations previously made in your suspect log, as well as a bit further evidence for your crime scene log (the sketch of the compartments and the location of the suspects’ quarters, weapon evidence, and passenger’s luggage evidence). Ensure you update these both as you read and add sections for each new character (previously only mentioned in passing observations in part 1), inclusive of Pierre Michel, the Wagon Lit conductor. By the end of this section you should have accounts for every character that resided in the Calais coach, plus Pierre Michel, Dr. Constantine, and M. Bouc (totaling 17)
2) What do you suppose Dragomiroff meant by “destiny?”
3) What is Trional? What does it do? Write down its chemical formula and draw a 2-D model of it – note the molecular shapes present.
4) Why do you think Poirot asked Countess Andrenyi (and many others) to write something?
5) Throughout these interviews, you witness Poirot use a few interesting verbal interrogation techniques to try and glean the truth from his suspects without them realizing what he is looking for. Name three such incidents.
6) What is a “pukka sahib?” What do you think Colonel Arbuthnot means when he says it?
7) There’s a lot of racial and ethnic assumptions in this (and also in A Study in Scarlet) novel. What do you make of them and what does this infer about the target audience?
8) How many languages does Poirot speak? Which ones are they?
9) At the end of part 2, try to answer the following questions: When was Ratchett murdered? Who do you think is/are the murderer(s)? How and why did he/she/they do it? What evidence supports your conclusion?
Part 3, Chapter 1
French phrases to know: précis
1) Poirot lists the basics he gathered of synthesized import. Do your conclusions match his from your suspect log? Do you have any further inferences?
Chapter 2
1) Try your hand at answering Poirot’s 10 questions. What conclusion do they lead you to? Does this support your hypothesis from part 2, question 9? How so or how not?
Chapter 3
Vocabulary: nebulously
French phrases to know: métier
1) Agatha Christie takes a very different (more typical, perhaps) approach to the mystery novel than Sir A. Conan Doyle in A Study in Scarlet. What is different about the approach? What is similar? What parts about this approach do you like? What parts about Sir A. Conan Doyle’s do you like? Do you have a preference?
Chapter 4
Vocabulary: rake (in the context), wrought (the noun, in the context)
1) Do you believe the Countess’ story? What parts do you not trust? What parts do you believe are true?
Chapter 5
Vocabulary: indomitable, caste
French phrases to know: hors de combat
1) What do you suppose about Princess Dragomiroff’s part in the murder, if any? How do you explain the evidence of the handkerchief?
Chapters 6 & 7
Vocabulary: sardonically
French phrases to know: pourquoi, vous êtes épatant
1) Do you believe the Colonel’s and Miss Debenham’s story? What parts do you not trust? What parts do you believe are true?
Chapter 8
Vocabulary: geniality, bluster
French phrases to know: roman policier
1) What do you make of all these last minute confessions of connection? How does this change your view of who committed the murder, if at all?
2) Throughout the novel, Poirot “twinkles.” What do you suppose is the intended effect of this for Poirot’s character? Note the times when he “twinkles” what he is doing or about to say.
3) Do you think Hardman had any connection with the Armstrongs?
Chapter 9
Vocabulary: egress, decorum, exigency
1) What do you make of the true events of the murder? How close was your hypothesis?
2) Do you agree with how the novel ends? Do you think this ending was just and ethical? Why or why not? What would you have done in Poirot’s stead? How is this both similar and different to A Study in Scarlet?
Sample Solution
