Witness for the Prosecution: A Character Analysis of Mr. Mayherne

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The categories associated with the means of means of characterization are considered to be explicit vs. implicit characterization, auto- vs. alterocharacterization and figural and narratorial as the foci of characterization. The use of certain means of characterization depends upon the preference of the author: his style, intentions and choice of focus. The characters are characterized by 1) what they say themselves, 2) what they do, 3) what the narrator says about them and 4) what other characters say about them. One should not, however, take for granted what is said by other characters since they might not be reliable, especially if one notices certain inconsistencies. This essay focuses on a story called Witness for the Prosecution written by the famous writer of detective stories, Agatha Christie. The plot centers around a crime (the murder of Miss Emily French) and starts with the discourse between Mr. Mayherne, the solicitor, and Mr. Vole, the accused person who swears being innocent of the crime. Later in the story appears Mr. Vole's wife and, acting extremely skillfully, plays the major role in acquitting her husband. The essay attempts to analyse Mr. Mayherne's (Agarha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution) characterization according to the aforementioned characterization parameters.

Firstly, one should distinguish the focus of characterization and in this respect, one can notice that throughout the story, Mr. Mayherne is characterized only by the narrator. Characterization by the narrator is attributed to the narratorial characterization. Therefore, one can conclude that characterization is narratorial, that is, Mr. Mayherne is presented by the narrator. Mr. Mayherne is not discussed and evaluated by oth...

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...ittle prejudiced against women ("Women were the devil when they got their knife into you" (Christie, p. 371) and underestimating their capacities. He is discredited in a way and this is at the same time has ironic effect: male logics failed against women's acting spontaneously and inventively. One might say that he achieves his aims as a solicitor because his defendant is acquitted but Mr. Mayherne was not able to see his client through. He is cheated, he is discredited and belittled ("little Mr. Mayherne" (Christie, p. 378). So, the narrator can laugh that the reader lets to be easily deceived by taking for granted what he says. In turn, the reader is satisfied to get aroused, excited and stimulated by the unexpected turnout.

LIST OF REFERENCES

Christie, Agatha. "The Witness for the Prosecution." MASTERPIECES OF MURDER. New Work: Kodd, Mead and Co. 1977.

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