Hercule Poirot: The Little Grey Cells
Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s creation, is a face you can’t forget. With his mannerisms, his intelligence and his refusal to give up the truth, Poirot has left his mark on literature and popular culture. Here we look at the life and methods of Hercule Poirot, and the inner workings of his little grey cells.
The Birth of Hercule Poirot
Agatha Christie’s Idea
Agatha Christie created Hercule Poirot after World War I. As a Belgian refugee in England, Poirot is the embodiment of human nature in all its complexity – the tragedy of war and the human spirit’s capacity to survive. Christie was inspired by her war experiences and the people she met during that time and created a detective who didn’t use brawn or brute force but his brain.
First appearance in “The Mysterious Affair at Styles”
Poirot appeared in Christie’s first novel, “The Mysterious Affair at Styles” in 1920. The story introduces him as a retired Belgian police officer living in England. He is invited to Styles Court by his friend Arthur Hastings and is soon embroiled in the murder that takes place during his visit. This sets the tone for Poirot’s future cases and establishes him as a detective who uses his “little grey cells” – his brain – to solve the puzzles.
The Hercule Poirot
The Detective
Hercule Poirot is the detective par excellence, with characteristics that make him stand out from the rest. His physical appearance is unique – small, mustachioed and fastidious. His love of order and cleanliness reflects his methodical approach to the crime. His flamboyant personality, with a charming but often pompous manner, adds depth to the character.
A Different Way of Investigating
Poirot’s methods of investigation are a big part of his character. Unlike traditional detectives who rely on physical evidence, Poirot puts psychological insight and human behaviour first. He believes that understanding the people involved in the case is key to solving it. This psychological approach often reveals hidden truths that aren’t immediately obvious.
In “Murder on the Orient Express” for example, Poirot is faced with a complicated case with multiple suspects. Instead of relying on evidence he observes the behaviour of each passenger and pieces together the puzzle by understanding their motives and emotions.
Poirot’s Method: The Art of Deduction
Observation
At the heart of Poirot’s method is his extraordinary power of observation. He can notice things that others miss. From a small smudge on a teacup to a misplaced object he builds a picture of the whole situation. His keen eye allows him to connect the dots and find the truth beneath the surface.
For example in “The ABC Murders” Poirot is faced with a series of murders linked by an alphabetical pattern. Instead of just looking at the victims he examines each crime scene and finds small clues that reveal the modus operandi of the killer. His powers of observation lead him to the murderer and shows the importance of detail.
Logic and the Little Grey Cells
Poirot’s use of logic is another part of his method. He often says “use your little grey cells” to analyse and deduce. This has become a catchphrase of his and sums up his belief that intelligence and reason are the key to solving the mystery.
In “Death on the Nile” Poirot uses his logical reasoning to untangle a web of motives and alibis among the passengers on a luxury cruise. He eliminates suspects based on their motives and opportunities and leads him to the killer.
The Character of Hercule Poirot
Charm and Quirks
Hercule Poirot’s charm is not just his intelligence but also his quirks. His fastidious nature and love of order leads to humorous situations and makes him likable. Poirot takes pride in his appearance and dresses impeccably and says it’s important to look your best. These traits make him a relatable character despite being a larger than life figure.
His flamboyant nature is highlighted by his way of speaking, his Belgian accent and his carefully chosen words. Poirot uses grandiose language and dramatic gestures, he’s a bit of a showman. This charm and quirkiness makes him a crime fiction icon.
Relationships with other characters
Poirot’s relationships with other characters are important to his character. His friendship with Captain Arthur Hastings who is his confidant and narrator for many of Poirot’s cases adds depth to the story. Hastings provides a different perspective, often highlighting Poirot’s brilliance and also his weaknesses.
And Poirot’s relationships with the suspects and witnesses show he can connect with people on a personal level. He uses empathy and understanding to get information out of reluctant witnesses, he’s a master of human psychology.
Hercule Poirot in Pop Culture
Literary Legacy
Hercule Poirot’s influence goes beyond the books. He’s become a icon of the detective genre, the benchmark for future fictional detectives. Authors like Rex Stout who created Nero Wolfe and Arthur Conan Doyle who created Sherlock Holmes were influenced by Poirot’s methods and character.
Christie wrote 33 Poirot novels and many short stories so the character has stayed in the literary landscape. Poirot’s enduring popularity is a testament to a detective who is intelligent, charming and has a unique way of solving crimes.
Film and TV
Hercule Poirot has also made his mark on film and TV. The character has been played by many actors each with their own interpretation. Notable adaptations include the 1974 film “Murder on the Orient Express” with Albert Finney and the BBC series “Agatha Christie’s Poirot” with David Suchet. Suchet’s portrayal over 20 years is often considered the definitive Poirot.
Recent adaptations of Poirot’s stories continue to be made with Kenneth Branagh directing and starring in new film adaptations, “Murder on the Orient Express” (2017), “Death on the Nile” (2022) and “A Haunting in Venice” (2023). These modern adaptations have introduced Poirot to new audiences and celebrated the character’s legacy.
Thematic elements in Poirot’s stories
Human Nature
One of the themes that runs through Hercule Poirot’s stories is the exploration of human nature. Christie examines the human motivations, desires and emotions and the complexities that drive people to commit crimes. Poirot’s investigations reveal the darker side of human behaviour and forces the reader to confront uncomfortable truths about morality and ethics.
In “And Then There Were None” for example Poirot is absent but the story explores the moral complexities of each character as they face judgement for their past actions. This exploration of human nature adds depth to Christie’s stories and makes them more than just murder mysteries.
Justice and Morality
Another theme that runs through Poirot’s stories is justice. Poirot has a strong moral compass and wants justice to be served. His investigations often reflect a sense of duty to uncover the truth and bring the criminal to justice regardless of their social status or wealth. This is evident in “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” where Poirot’s determination to reveal the murderer goes against the social norms and expectations.
And Poirot’s interactions with the police often show the tension between formal justice and personal morality. He navigates the justice system and shows the difficulties detectives face in their pursuit of the truth.
Hercule Poirot
Timeless
Hercule Poirot has evolved over the years and remained true to himself. As society has changed so has Poirot changed with it. He can solve crimes in a changing world because he is timeless.
In modern adaptations Poirot is presented in a modern context and faces challenges that are relevant to today’s audience. This ensures Poirot remains relevant and we can connect with him on a personal level.
Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie’s impact on the detective genre is immeasurable and Hercule Poirot is one of her most iconic characters. Christie’s ability to plot and characterise is legendary and she is known as the “Queen of Crime”. Poirot’s stories are studied and celebrated for their clever plotting and rich characterisation.
There has been a resurgence of interest in classic detective fiction and Poirot is at the heart of it. New readers are discovering Christie’s works and are drawn to Poirot’s charm and the timeless nature of his stories.
Conclusion: Hercule Poirot Forever
Hercule Poirot is more than a detective; he is a cultural icon who embodies the art of detection and human nature. His legacy is in literature and popular culture and will continue to captivate audiences with his methods and charm. As Agatha Christie’s most famous character Poirot will inspire new readers and viewers for generations to come and remind us that the pursuit of truth is eternal.
If you like a good mystery Hercule Poirot is a masterclass in detective fiction. Use your little grey cells and think about human nature.
Best of Hercule Poirot mystery publications
The Mysterious Affair at Styles- Published in 1920, was the first fictional Poirot mystery. In this novel, Hastings is invited for a stay at the country estate in Styles Court, when rich Emily Inglethorp is found murdered.
Suspicion bounds in all the members of the house, particularly on second husband who is much younger and on the two step sons. Luckily, Hastings persuades Hercule Poirot to solve the murder case.
Murder on the Orient Express- This renowned Agatha Christie’s mystery published in 1934 was transformed into a star studded motion picture in 1974. In this story Hercule is travelling on Orient Express from Istanbul to Calais.
It is discovered that one passenger named Rachett is brutally murdered in the adjoining compartment. The train gets stuck in the thick of snow, and Poirot should interrogate some diverse, interesting characters in order to get to the culprits.
The Labours of Hercules – this short story was published in 1947, and portrays that Hercule is on the verge of retiring, and wants that cases to be comparable to the mythical ‘Twelve Labours of Hercules’. These are the mysteries that deal with blackmails, thefts and also murder.
Curtain- this novel was actually written during Second World War, but was published in 1975. In this novel Poirot reunites with his friend Hastings at the same Styles Court, that has been renovated into a hotel. Hercule comes to track a murderer who is involved in several cases. There are many more deaths, including Poirot , who solves the case even after death.
