"After the Funeral" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Character Name	Role
Cora Lansquenet	Victim
Richard Abernethie	Deceased
Susan Banks	Niece of Richard Abernethie
George Crossfield	Nephew of Richard Abernethie
Rosamund Shane	Niece of Richard Abernethie
Michael Shane	Husband of Rosamund Shane
Helen Abernethie	Sister-in-law of Richard Abernethie
Timothy Abernethie	Brother of Richard Abernethie
Maude Abernethie	Sister-in-law of Richard Abernethie
Miss Gilchrist	Companion of Cora Lansquenet
Lanscombe	Butler of the Abernethie family
Mr. Entwhistle	Family lawyer

Role Identification

"After the Funeral" by Agatha Christie is a classic murder mystery novel. The story revolves around the death of Richard Abernethie, a wealthy man, and the subsequent investigation into his death. The various characters in the book play important roles in uncovering the truth behind the murder.

Character Descriptions

• Cora Lansquenet: Cora is the victim in the story, a wealthy woman who is found dead shortly after attending Richard Abernethie's funeral.
• Richard Abernethie: Richard is the deceased, a wealthy man whose death sets off the events of the story.
• Susan Banks: Susan is Richard Abernethie's niece, who becomes suspicious about the circumstances surrounding her uncle's death.
• George Crossfield: George is Richard Abernethie's nephew, who also becomes involved in the investigation.
• Rosamund Shane: Rosamund is Richard Abernethie's niece, married to Michael Shane.
• Michael Shane: Michael is Rosamund's husband, who becomes a suspect in the murder.
• Helen Abernethie: Helen is Richard Abernethie's sister-in-law, who is convinced that Richard was murdered.
• Timothy Abernethie: Timothy is Richard Abernethie's brother, who initially dismisses the idea of foul play.
• Maude Abernethie: Maude is Richard Abernethie's sister-in-law, who is known for her sharp tongue.
• Miss Gilchrist: Miss Gilchrist is Cora Lansquenet's companion, who becomes a prime suspect in the murder.
• Lanscombe: Lanscombe is the loyal butler of the Abernethie family, who assists in the investigation.
• Mr. Entwhistle: Mr. Entwhistle is the family lawyer, who helps in unraveling the mystery.

Character Traits

• Cora Lansquenet: Wealthy, secretive, and vulnerable.
• Richard Abernethie: Wealthy, authoritative, and secretive.
• Susan Banks: Intelligent, determined, and suspicious.
• George Crossfield: Shrewd, calculating, and ambitious.
• Rosamund Shane: Beautiful, manipulative, and mysterious.
• Michael Shane: Charming, unreliable, and possibly deceitful.
• Helen Abernethie: Observant, persistent, and skeptical.
• Timothy Abernethie: Nonchalant, dismissive, and uninvolved.
• Maude Abernethie: Sarcastic, cunning, and bitter.
• Miss Gilchrist: Meek, loyal, and secretive.
• Lanscombe: Loyal, observant, and discreet.
• Mr. Entwhistle: Analytical, meticulous, and knowledgeable.

Character Background

• Cora Lansquenet: Cora is a wealthy woman who lived a reclusive life. She had a mysterious past and a troubled relationship with her family.
• Richard Abernethie: Richard was a wealthy man who had control over the Abernethie family fortune. He was known for his authoritative nature and secretiveness.
• Susan Banks: Susan is Richard Abernethie's niece, who had a strained relationship with her uncle. She is intelligent and has a keen sense of observation.
• George Crossfield: George is Richard Abernethie's nephew, who had a troubled relationship with his uncle. He is ambitious and always looking for ways to gain more wealth.
• Rosamund Shane: Rosamund is Richard Abernethie's niece, married to Michael Shane. She is known for her beauty and mysterious nature.
• Michael Shane: Michael is Rosamund's husband, who is suspected of having financial motives for Richard's murder.
• Helen Abernethie: Helen is Richard Abernethie's sister-in-law, who is convinced that Richard's death was not natural. She is determined to uncover the truth.
• Timothy Abernethie: Timothy is Richard Abernethie's brother, who is initially dismissive of the idea that Richard was murdered.
• Maude Abernethie: Maude is Richard Abernethie's sister-in-law, known for her sharp tongue and bitter attitude towards the family.
• Miss Gilchrist: Miss Gilchrist is Cora Lansquenet's companion, who had a close relationship with her and becomes a prime suspect in the murder.
• Lanscombe: Lanscombe is the loyal butler of the Abernethie family, who has served them for many years. He is discreet and observant.
• Mr. Entwhistle: Mr. Entwhistle is the family lawyer, who is well-acquainted with the secrets and dynamics of the Abernethie family.

Character Arcs

• Cora Lansquenet: Cora's character arc is short-lived as she is the victim of the murder. However, her death exposes the complex web of relationships and secrets within the Abernethie family.
• Susan Banks: Susan starts as a skeptical and curious niece, but as she uncovers more clues, her determination to find the truth intensifies. She becomes a key player in solving the mystery.
• George Crossfield: George begins as a suspect due to his strained relationship with Richard Abernethie. However, as the investigation progresses, his true motivations and character are revealed.
• Rosamund Shane: Rosamund's character arc is shrouded in mystery. Her relationship with her husband, Michael Shane, becomes a focal point as suspicions are raised.
• Michael Shane: Michael's character arc follows his transformation from a charming and loving husband to a potential suspect with hidden motives.
• Helen Abernethie: Helen's skepticism and determination lead her to uncover crucial information about Richard's death, ultimately playing a vital role in solving the mystery.
• Timothy Abernethie: Timothy's indifference towards Richard's death gradually changes as he becomes more involved in the investigation.
• Maude Abernethie: Maude remains bitter and sarcastic throughout the story, but her sharp tongue often provides important insights into the family dynamics.
• Miss Gilchrist: Miss Gilchrist's character arc revolves around her role as Cora's companion and the suspicion cast upon her. Her loyalty and secrets become crucial elements in the investigation.
• Lanscombe: Lanscombe's loyalty to the Abernethie family remains steadfast, and he assists in the investigation by providing valuable information.
• Mr. Entwhistle: Mr. Entwhistle's role as the family lawyer evolves from providing legal advice to becoming involved in uncovering the truth about Richard's death.

Relationships

• Cora Lansquenet had a mysterious relationship with her family, particularly Richard Abernethie, which is explored in the story.
• The Abernethie family has complex relationships, with tensions and secrets hidden beneath the surface. Richard's death brings these relationships to light.
• Susan Banks and George Crossfield are cousins who join forces to uncover the truth behind Richard's murder.
• Rosamund Shane and Michael Shane's relationship becomes strained as suspicions arise about their involvement in the murder.
• Helen Abernethie and Timothy Abernethie are Richard's siblings, who have different reactions to his death but ultimately work together to solve the mystery.
• Maude Abernethie's bitter attitude affects her relationships with other family members and adds tension to the investigation.
• Miss Gilchrist's relationship with Cora Lansquenet is explored, as well as her connection to the Abernethie family.
• Lanscombe's loyalty to the Abernethie family is evident in his interactions with various family members and his assistance in the investigation.
• Mr. Entwhistle's relationship with the Abernethie family is primarily professional, but he becomes more involved in their personal lives as the murder investigation progresses.

In conclusion, "After the Funeral" by Agatha Christie is a gripping murder mystery that delves into the complex relationships and secrets within the Abernethie family. The characters play key roles in uncovering the truth behind Richard Abernethie's death, with their backgrounds, traits, and arcs adding depth to the story. The interwoven relationships between the characters create a web of suspicion and intrigue, keeping readers engaged until the final reveal.