Studia Humanitatis (Dec 2023)
Means of communication in Agatha Christie’s creative concept: telephone, mail, radio
Abstract
Agatha Christie’s literary heritage is studied from the point of view of various communication devices use, which are abundantly mentioned in the author’s works. Within the framework of a single work, heroes frequently use several devices to exchange information, which is associated with the development of science and technology in A. Christie’s era. Telephone, postal service, radio are used as evidence to introduce the situation to a reader, to intensify the plot. In a number of works they form the “core” of the intrigue. When developing crime schemes for her works, the writer resorted to techniques from the “arsenal” of radio shows. The author of the paper was the first to point out the intersection of A. Christie’s plots with the creativity of the mystical writer Edward Frederic Benson. Along with several other authors, A. Christie anticipated discussions about the “electronic voice phenomenon”, debates on which began in the second half of the 20th century. The article raises the idea of the inevitability of punishment: trying to use communication tools in their own interests, criminals find themselves exposed by them.
