"Evil Under the Sun" Characters Analysis
mystery | 220 pages | Published in NaN
Estimated read time: 9 min read
Table of Contents
List of Characters
| Character Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Hercule Poirot | Protagonist, Detective |
| Arlena Stuart | Victim |
| Linda Marshall | Suspect, Arlena's step-daughter |
| Patrick Redfern | Suspect, Arlena's husband |
| Christine Redfern | Suspect, Patrick's ex-wife |
| Kenneth Marshall | Suspect, Linda's father |
| Emily Brewster | Suspect, Arlena's friend |
| Rosamund Darnley | Suspect, Arlena's rival |
| Colonel Weston | Police officer |
| Captain Kenneth Boyd | Suspect, acquaintance of Arlena |
Role Identification
In Agatha Christie's "Evil Under the Sun," Hercule Poirot takes on the role of the protagonist and detective. He is tasked with solving the mysterious murder of Arlena Stuart, the victim.
Character Descriptions
Hercule Poirot
Poirot is a renowned Belgian detective known for his sharp intellect and meticulous attention to detail. He is described as having a neat appearance, with a distinctive mustache. Poirot possesses a calm and collected demeanor, often observing others quietly to gather clues. He is highly observant and skilled at reading people's behaviors and motives.
Arlena Stuart
Arlena Stuart is the beautiful and alluring victim in the story. She is described as having a captivating presence and a seductive nature. Arlena is known for her acting career and her reputation as a femme fatale. Her glamorous exterior hides a manipulative and selfish personality.
Linda Marshall
Linda Marshall is Arlena's step-daughter and one of the suspects in her murder. She is a young and innocent girl who harbors resentment towards Arlena for her neglectful behavior. Linda is intelligent and observant, but her emotions often cloud her judgment.
Patrick Redfern
Patrick Redfern is Arlena's husband and another suspect in her murder. He is described as a handsome and charming man who is deeply in love with Arlena. Patrick is known for his volatile temper, which makes him a potential suspect in the crime.
Christine Redfern
Christine Redfern is Patrick's ex-wife and a suspect in the murder. She is bitter and resentful towards Arlena for stealing her husband. Christine is strong-willed and determined, with a motive to seek revenge.
Kenneth Marshall
Kenneth Marshall is Linda's father and a suspect in the murder. He is described as a quiet and reserved man who dotes on his daughter. Kenneth has a mysterious air about him, and his actions and intentions are often unclear.
Emily Brewster
Emily Brewster is a friend of Arlena's and a suspect in her murder. She is a middle-aged woman who is infatuated with Arlena's husband, Patrick. Emily is emotionally unstable and easily influenced by others.
Rosamund Darnley
Rosamund Darnley is a rival of Arlena's and a suspect in the murder. She is a successful writer who is jealous of Arlena's fame and beauty. Rosamund is cunning and manipulative, with a motive to eliminate her competition.
Colonel Weston
Colonel Weston is the police officer in charge of the murder investigation. He is described as a no-nonsense and efficient detective who relies on evidence and facts. Colonel Weston seeks Poirot's assistance in solving the case.
Captain Kenneth Boyd
Captain Kenneth Boyd is an acquaintance of Arlena's and a suspect in her murder. He is a charming and flirtatious man who is known for his womanizing ways. Captain Boyd has a turbulent past with Arlena, which makes him a potential suspect.
Character Traits
Hercule Poirot
- Intelligent
- Observant
- Meticulous
- Analytical
- Calm
- Methodical
Arlena Stuart
- Beautiful
- Seductive
- Manipulative
- Selfish
- Charming
- Alluring
Linda Marshall
- Innocent
- Resentful
- Intelligent
- Emotional
- Observant
- Naive
Patrick Redfern
- Handsome
- Charming
- Volatile
- In love with Arlena
- Potential temper issues
- Protective
Christine Redfern
- Bitter
- Resentful
- Determined
- Strong-willed
- Motivated by revenge
- Jealous
Kenneth Marshall
- Quiet
- Reserved
- Mysterious
- Protective father
- Unclear intentions
- Caring
Emily Brewster
- Infatuated
- Emotionally unstable
- Easily influenced
- Middle-aged
- Desperate
- Obsessive
Rosamund Darnley
- Jealous
- Cunning
- Manipulative
- Successful writer
- Competitive
- Intelligent
Colonel Weston
- No-nonsense
- Efficient
- Relying on evidence
- Fact-oriented
- Thorough
- Professional
Captain Kenneth Boyd
- Charming
- Flirtatious
- Womanizer
- Tempestuous past with Arlena
- Potential motive
- Smooth talker
Character Background
Hercule Poirot
Hercule Poirot is a world-renowned detective who has solved numerous complex cases throughout his career. He is known for his sharp intellect and unique approach to solving crimes. Poirot's background as a former police officer in Belgium gives him valuable insight into human behavior and criminal psychology.
Arlena Stuart
Arlena Stuart is a famous actress known for her beauty and charm. She has a reputation for being a seductive and manipulative woman who often uses her allure to get what she wants. Arlena's troubled past and turbulent relationships have contributed to her complex personality.
Linda Marshall
Linda Marshall is the daughter of Arlena's late husband and her current step-daughter. She has grown up in the shadow of Arlena's fame and has often been neglected by her step-mother. Linda's resentment towards Arlena fuels her motives and actions throughout the story.
Patrick Redfern
Patrick Redfern is a successful businessman who fell in love with Arlena and married her. Despite his love for her, their relationship is tumultuous due to Arlena's manipulative nature. Patrick's past and his passionate temper make him a potential suspect in the murder.
Christine Redfern
Christine Redfern is Patrick's ex-wife and the mother of his child. She holds a deep grudge against Arlena for stealing her husband and destroying their family. Christine's bitterness and determination to seek revenge make her a likely suspect in the murder.
Kenneth Marshall
Kenneth Marshall is Linda's father and a man with a mysterious past. He is protective of his daughter and has a complicated relationship with Arlena. Kenneth's actions and intentions remain unclear throughout the story, making him a person of interest in the murder investigation.
Emily Brewster
Emily Brewster is a middle-aged woman who is infatuated with Patrick Redfern. Her obsession with him and her desire to be with him drives her actions and involvement in the murder. Emily's emotional instability makes her a potential suspect with questionable motives.
Rosamund Darnley
Rosamund Darnley is a successful writer who is envious of Arlena's fame and beauty. She sees Arlena as a rival and believes that eliminating her will help further her own career. Rosamund's cunning and manipulative nature make her a plausible suspect in the murder.
Colonel Weston
Colonel Weston is a seasoned police officer with a reputation for being thorough and efficient. He takes his duty seriously and relies on evidence and facts to solve cases. Colonel Weston's professional background and dedication to his work make him an important ally to Poirot in the murder investigation.
Captain Kenneth Boyd
Captain Kenneth Boyd is an acquaintance of Arlena's who has a history with her. He is known for his womanizing ways and his turbulent relationship with Arlena. Captain Boyd's past actions and potential motives make him a suspect in the murder.
Character Arcs
Hercule Poirot
Throughout the story, Poirot's character arc revolves around solving the murder of Arlena Stuart. He starts with limited information and gradually uncovers the truth through his meticulous investigation. Poirot's perception of the other characters and his understanding of their motives evolve as he gathers more evidence. His character arc culminates in the revelation of the murderer and the resolution of the case.
Linda Marshall
Linda's character arc centers around her emotional journey and her growth from a resentful step-daughter to a more mature and understanding individual. As the investigation progresses, Linda's perspective on Arlena and the other suspects changes, and she learns to see beyond her own emotions. By the end of the story, Linda gains a deeper understanding of the complexities of human nature.
Other Characters
The other characters in "Evil Under the Sun" also go through their own character arcs as their secrets and true natures are unveiled throughout the investigation. Each suspect's motivations and actions are explored, revealing their true personalities and transforming their initial impressions. Their character arcs contribute to the overall suspense and intrigue of the story.
Relationships
The relationships among the characters in "Evil Under the Sun" are complex and play a significant role in the murder mystery. Key relationships include:
- Arlena Stuart and Linda Marshall: Arlena's neglectful treatment of Linda creates tension and resentment between them, adding a motive for Linda's potential involvement in the murder.
- Arlena Stuart and Patrick Redfern: Arlena's volatile relationship with her husband Patrick raises questions about their potential motives and involvement in the crime.
- Patrick Redfern and Christine Redfern: The bitter relationship between Patrick and Christine, his ex-wife, provides a motive for Christine's potential desire to harm Arlena.
- Arlena Stuart and Emily Brewster: Emily's infatuation with Patrick and her jealousy of Arlena's relationship with him create a motive for her potential involvement in the murder.
- Arlena Stuart and Rosamund Darnley: Rosamund's envy and rivalry with Arlena make her a possible suspect in the murder.
- Hercule Poirot and Colonel Weston: Poirot's collaboration with Colonel Weston, the police officer in charge of the investigation, forms a professional relationship that helps uncover the truth behind the murder.
- Various romantic relationships and past connections between the suspects and Arlena create a web of complex relationships that contribute to the motives and suspicions surrounding the murder.
In conclusion, "Evil Under the Sun" by Agatha Christie presents a diverse cast of characters with intricate relationships, motives, and hidden pasts. The story unfolds through Hercule Poirot's investigation, revealing the true nature and motivations of each character. As the murder mystery unravels, the characters' arcs and relationships intersect, leading to a suspenseful and satisfying resolution.
