Essay Questions

Why is Alicia committing suicide, and what lessons do readers learn from the incident?

Agatha Christie shows readers that love is complex and can easily result in death. Alicia commits suicide after her fiancé breaks their engagement. The author intends to enlighten readers that there are better ways of handling breakups. Consequently, readers learn that suicide after a break-up does not solve anything; instead, it is a loss for those left behind. Alicia's mother struggles to reconnect with the ghost of her late daughter, but the experience is tragic.

How does Agatha Christie explore the theme of mistrust in A Haunting in Venice?

Mistrust is the central theme in the novel because the characters do not trust each other. Rowera doubts her closest friends and kills without hesitation whenever she detects foul play. For instance, Rowera kills Leslie after discovering she is spying on her. Poirot interviews all guests at the Palazzo festival to know their motives. Consequently, the characters in the novel see each other as a potential enemy, thus the need for cautiousness.

What is the significance of Poirot in the novel?

Poirot is the novel's protagonist. Poirot is a curious individual, and when he gets an invitation to attend the palazzo, he becomes suspicious of the organizers' intentions. Rowera, a renowned musician, graces the palazzo concert. However, Rowera is a cunning woman who strikes at the slightest provocation. Poirot is a significant character because, through his interviews, readers learn about the dark secrets of Rowera and other characters in the novel.