Reading Murder on the Orient Express [2020]

Travel Broadens Perspectives.

I think the murder of Ratchett was an act of absolute justice. However, I believe it was partially justified because Ratchett kidnapped and brutally murdered a little girl, Daisy Armstrong, and caused her parents to die from shock and grief.

In the text, it says that Daisy’s mother was pregnant at the time of her daughter’s demise. She fell to the floor, weeping and died from sadness soon after. Daisy Armstrong’s father died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after losing his family in such quick succession.

Ratchett deserved to be killed however it was not any of these characters’ place, no matter how closely they are tied to the victim. In many countries and states around the world, the death penalty exists. The jury and judge are trained at administering what is closest to absolute justice. Ratchett should have been tried for his crime and sentenced to life in prison or death. Whatever the decision, it should have come from an authority trained for such situations

If the twelve stabbers were to be excused, however morally correct their actions, it would result in people everywhere making their own calls. Even one incorrect judgment could lead to anarchy and innocent people could be murdered by grief fueled madness.

In conclusion, I would like to say that the murder of Ratchett satisfied a personal hatred and I find nothing morally wrong in killing a killer, however, it was not entirely absolute justice.

            A familiar character impacts a reader’s experience of the text as it gives the reader a sense of familiarity and comfort. For example, if Hercule Poirot solved one mystery, we will be more likely to pick up another book where we hope that he will solve another. This is arguably due to the reader’s need for closure.

            It also helps the reader connect, on some wavelength, to the author and characters as the more a reader learns about the character’s experience, the more we feel we know the person. The reader may also be able to predict, to some degree, what the character might do, so you do not like surprises, it might be time to pick up a book that has a character you know or relate to.

            In my opinion, reading books with familiar characters is a great experience and has a definite positive impact on the reader.

            This was indeed my first experience with detective Hercule Poirot. I think I would respond well to another book with him in it for the reasons stated above. I like the idea of mysteries being solved and the way Agatha Christie has written the book is not very predictable, so it lets me imagine multiple ending and wonder about what the solution is.

            Hercule Poirot’s crime solving abilities are also quite a departure from the American detectives in books and movies that I am all too fond of, so it helps me see things from another perspective and watch a calm, collected detective solve crimes instead of men in suits engaged in car chases.