Presentation is everything. The author must present each character and interaction in such a way as to command the reader’s focus, manipulate his/her perspective, and deftly waltz the truth on by. As the author constructs the perfect revelation moment, we as readers form our opinions of the characters and attempt to piece together whatever clues we see. Against seemingly popular thought, instead of finding Mitzi obnoxious, stubborn, and deceitful, I found Mitzi entertaining, adamant, and truthful therefore innocent. On the other hand, I thought of Phillipa as shady, cagey, and too brusque – all qualities of someone with something to hide. When a murder was announced, Mitzi was the only character who whole-heartedly believed that an attempt at real murder was to be made. It was quite evident that she was frightened as she said, “I go at once!” and “I do not wish to die!” (21). This proclamation that she did not wish to die drastically differed from everyone else’s initial …show more content…
Always, always there is persecution – ah! … You come to torture me, yes, to make me say things, but I shall say nothing” (65). She continues on in greater detail of what Craddock would supposedly do to her. She also raged when Julia used the kitchen saying, “See what you do in my so nice kitchen! That frying pan – only, only for omelettes do I use it! And you, what have you used it for?” (252). I found situations like these enjoyable rather than contributing them toward any thought that Mitzi was not right in the head. Regardless of what purpose Mitzi would have in the novel, I liked her right off the bat for her comicality.
My opinions, however, must be based on how Christie decides to portray Mitzi. Agatha Christie portrays Mitzi as this outspoken and opinionated character who the others accept as a crazy liar. Christie tries to impress upon the reader that Mitzi really is a melodramatic liar through the thoughts of other