Exploring Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap

Aug 1, 2024

Lecture Notes on Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap

Overview

  • Longest continuous production: The Mousetrap has the longest running play in history, from 1952 to 2020 (resumed in 2021 after a brief closure due to COVID).
  • Genre: Murder mystery play set in a rural English guest house.

Setting

  • Location: Guest house run by Molly and Giles Ralston, who are new to the hospitality business.
  • Initial Situation: Concern about their first set of guests and potential issues.

Main Characters (Guests)

  1. Christopher Wren: Avant-garde bohemian, interested in architecture and aesthetics.
  2. Mrs. Boyle: Older, matronly woman with conservative views on guest house management.
  3. Major Metcalf: Stoic, retired military officer, characterized with large mutton chops.
  4. Miss Casewell: Represents a new woman type figure, depicted as sharp and somewhat Bohemian.
  5. Mr. Paravesini: Described as foreign, elderly, and flamboyant, but his character raises racial concerns in modern context.

Plot Introduction

  • Murder in London: Police reach out to Molly about a recent murder of an older woman linked to the guest house.
  • Connection to Past Case: The murder relates to the Longridge Farm case involving three orphans and previous abuse.

Key Events

  • Mrs. Boyle's Connection: Mrs. Boyle was a magistrate involved in the case that led to the orphans' abuse.
  • Murder of Mrs. Boyle: She is murdered in act one while listening to the radio.
    • Murder Scene: Lights go out, and she is strangled; Molly discovers her body.
  • Detective Sergeant Trotter's Role: Initially there to prevent murder, then shifts to solving Mrs. Boyle's murder.

Suspicion and Clues

  • Suspects and Their Motives: Each guest presents a potential motive for being involved in the murders.
    • Giles: His attire fits the description of a suspect in the murder case.
    • Christopher Wren: An erratic character with a questionable past (deserted military service).
    • Major Metcalf and Miss Casewell: Could be linked to the orphans’ history.
  • Suspense Building Techniques: Christie suggests that any of the characters could be the murderer, heightening tension and intrigue.

Themes and Techniques

  • Character Inconsistencies: Each character conceals their identity or past, revealing the theme of deception.
  • Suspense and Clues: The play builds suspense by providing clues that lead to multiple potential suspects, making it challenging to predict the true murderer.

Conclusion

  • Agatha Christie's Method: Effective in creating ambiguity and engaging the audience in the mystery, keeping them guessing until the end.