The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

by

Agatha Christie

Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) Character Analysis

Hercule Poirot is the detective at the center of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, as well as many other Agatha Christie stories, novels, and plays. A brilliant, often arrogant Belgian with a flair for the dramatic, Poirot can sometimes be irritating to the people around him—his flamboyant continental style clashes with the English characters’ simplicity and directness. Nevertheless, Poirot repeatedly proves himself to be a first-rate detective. He’s an excellent researcher, who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty to solve a case; however, his greatest strength is arguably his ability to think psychologically, sizing up his suspects’ personalities and assessing their precise motives for committing a crime. Poirot isn’t above bending the rules to solve his crime—in the novel, he convinces Dr. Sheppard to talk about his private medical conversations with a suspect, and he also posts a false story in the newspaper. Like many fictional detectives, Poirot isn’t motivated by money, or by any concrete reward for his ingenuity; rather, he seems to take on cases because of an abstract, philosophical interest in human behavior and a general desire to solve puzzles that seem inscrutable to others. At the end of the novel, Poirot deduces that Dr. Sheppard is the murderer, but, interestingly, doesn’t turn Sheppard over to the police, instead allowing Sheppard to settle his affairs and die by his own hand. This is another sign that Poirot is more interested in bringing his investigation to psychological closure than in enforcing the law.

Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) Quotes in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

The The Murder of Roger Ackroyd quotes below are all either spoken by Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) or refer to Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”). For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Secrecy and the Universal Capacity for Violence Theme Icon
).
Chapter 3 Quotes

"It is Fate," he said at last.
"What is Fate?" I asked irritably.
"That I should live next to a man who seriously considers Porcupine Oilfields, and also West Australian Gold Mines. Tell me, have you also a penchant for auburn hair?"

Related Characters: Dr. James Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”)
Page Number: 21
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 7 Quotes

"It is completely unimportant," said Poirot. "That is why it is so interesting," he added softly.

Related Characters: Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker)
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 84
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 8 Quotes

He looked ridiculously full of his own importance. It crossed my mind to wonder whether he was really any good as a detective. Had his big reputation been built up on a series of lucky chances?

Related Characters: Dr. James Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”)
Page Number: 92
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 9 Quotes

"Look inside," commanded Poirot.
I did so. Inside was an inscription in fine writing:
From R., March 13th.

Related Characters: Dr. James Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker)
Page Number: 110
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 12 Quotes

I believe that when we find the explanation of that telephone call we shall find the explanation of the murder.

Related Characters: Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker)
Page Number: 138
Explanation and Analysis:

“Every one of you in this room is concealing something from me.” He raised his hand as a faint murmur of protest arose. “Yes, yes, I know what I am saying. It may be something unimportant—trivial—which is supposed to have no bearing on the case, but there it is. Each one of you has something to hide.”

Related Characters: Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker)
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 146
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 13 Quotes

“It is a theory that,” admitted Poirot. “Decidedly you have cells of a kind. But it leaves a good deal unaccounted for.”
“Such as—”
“The telephone call, the pushed-out chair—“

Related Characters: Dr. James Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker)
Related Symbols: “Little Grey Cells”
Page Number: 153
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 14 Quotes

"He wants to know whether Ralph Paton's boots were black or brown," said Caroline with tremendous solemnity.

Related Characters: Caroline Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”), Ralph Paton
Page Number: 165
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 15 Quotes

"'What was the point of that question about the glasses?" I asked curiously.
Poirot shrugged his shoulders. "One must say something," he remarked. "That particular question did as well as any other."

Related Characters: Dr. James Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker), John Parker
Page Number: 177
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 17 Quotes

Let us take a man—a very ordinary man. A man with no idea of murder in his heart. There is in him somewhere a strain of weakness—deep down. It has so far never been called into play. Perhaps it never will be—and if so he will go to his grave honored and respected by everyone. But let us suppose that something occurs. He is in difficulties—or perhaps not that even. He may stumble by accident on a secret—a secret involving life or death to someone. And his first impulse will be to speak out—to do his duty as an honest citizen. And then the strain of weakness tells.

Related Characters: Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker)
Page Number: 201
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 19 Quotes

Blunt ignored my well-meant offers. He spoke to Poirot. “D’you really think—” he began, and stopped.
He is one of those inarticulate men who find it hard to put things into words.
Poirot knows no such disability. “If you doubt me, ask her yourself, monsieur.”

Related Characters: Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker), Major Hector Blunt (speaker), Flora Ackroyd
Page Number: 220
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 20 Quotes

It occurred to me that there was not much which escaped Hercule Poirot.

Related Characters: Dr. James Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”)
Page Number: 233
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 22 Quotes

“It says that Ralph has been arrested. So everything is useless. I need not pretend any longer.”
“Newspaper paragraphs are not always true, mademoiselle,” murmured Poirot, having the grace to look ashamed of himself, “All the same, I think you will do well to make a clean breast of things. The truth is what we need now.”

Related Characters: Dr. James Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker), Ursula Bourne / Ursula Paton (speaker), Ralph Paton
Page Number: 244
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 23 Quotes

“I congratulate you—on your modesty!”
“Oh!” I said, rather taken aback.
“And on your reticence,” he added.

I said “Oh!” again.

“Not so did Hastings write,” continued my friend. “On every page, many, many times was the word ‘I’. What he thought—what he did. But you—you have kept your personality in the background; only once or twice does it obtrude—in scenes of home life, shall we say?”

Related Characters: Dr. James Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”)
Page Number: 255
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 24 Quotes

I invent a nephew with mental trouble. I consult Mademoiselle Sheppard as to suitable homes. She gives me the names of two near Cranchester to which her brother has sent patients. I make inquiries. Yes, at one of them a patient was brought there by the doctor himself early on Saturday morning.

Related Characters: Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker), Dr. James Sheppard, Caroline Sheppard
Page Number: 268
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 25 Quotes

“A person who was at the Three Boars earlier that day, a person who knew Ackroyd well enough to know that he had purchased a dictaphone, a person who was of a mechanical turn of mind, who had the opportunity to take the dagger from the silver table before Miss Flora arrived, who had with him a receptacle suitable for hiding the dictaphone—such as a black bag—and who had the study to himself for a few minutes after the crime was discovered while Parker was telephoning for the police. In fact—Dr. Sheppard!”

Related Characters: Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker), Dr. James Sheppard, Roger Ackroyd, Flora Ackroyd
Page Number: 278
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 26 Quotes

Remember what I said—the truth goes to Inspector Raglan in the morning. But, for the sake of your good sister, I am willing to give you the chance of another way out. There might be, for instance, an overdose of a sleeping draught.

Related Characters: Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker), Dr. James Sheppard, Caroline Sheppard, Inspector Raglan
Page Number: 282
Explanation and Analysis:
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Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) Quotes in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

The The Murder of Roger Ackroyd quotes below are all either spoken by Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) or refer to Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”). For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Secrecy and the Universal Capacity for Violence Theme Icon
).
Chapter 3 Quotes

"It is Fate," he said at last.
"What is Fate?" I asked irritably.
"That I should live next to a man who seriously considers Porcupine Oilfields, and also West Australian Gold Mines. Tell me, have you also a penchant for auburn hair?"

Related Characters: Dr. James Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”)
Page Number: 21
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 7 Quotes

"It is completely unimportant," said Poirot. "That is why it is so interesting," he added softly.

Related Characters: Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker)
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 84
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 8 Quotes

He looked ridiculously full of his own importance. It crossed my mind to wonder whether he was really any good as a detective. Had his big reputation been built up on a series of lucky chances?

Related Characters: Dr. James Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”)
Page Number: 92
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 9 Quotes

"Look inside," commanded Poirot.
I did so. Inside was an inscription in fine writing:
From R., March 13th.

Related Characters: Dr. James Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker)
Page Number: 110
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 12 Quotes

I believe that when we find the explanation of that telephone call we shall find the explanation of the murder.

Related Characters: Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker)
Page Number: 138
Explanation and Analysis:

“Every one of you in this room is concealing something from me.” He raised his hand as a faint murmur of protest arose. “Yes, yes, I know what I am saying. It may be something unimportant—trivial—which is supposed to have no bearing on the case, but there it is. Each one of you has something to hide.”

Related Characters: Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker)
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 146
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 13 Quotes

“It is a theory that,” admitted Poirot. “Decidedly you have cells of a kind. But it leaves a good deal unaccounted for.”
“Such as—”
“The telephone call, the pushed-out chair—“

Related Characters: Dr. James Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker)
Related Symbols: “Little Grey Cells”
Page Number: 153
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 14 Quotes

"He wants to know whether Ralph Paton's boots were black or brown," said Caroline with tremendous solemnity.

Related Characters: Caroline Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”), Ralph Paton
Page Number: 165
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 15 Quotes

"'What was the point of that question about the glasses?" I asked curiously.
Poirot shrugged his shoulders. "One must say something," he remarked. "That particular question did as well as any other."

Related Characters: Dr. James Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker), John Parker
Page Number: 177
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 17 Quotes

Let us take a man—a very ordinary man. A man with no idea of murder in his heart. There is in him somewhere a strain of weakness—deep down. It has so far never been called into play. Perhaps it never will be—and if so he will go to his grave honored and respected by everyone. But let us suppose that something occurs. He is in difficulties—or perhaps not that even. He may stumble by accident on a secret—a secret involving life or death to someone. And his first impulse will be to speak out—to do his duty as an honest citizen. And then the strain of weakness tells.

Related Characters: Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker)
Page Number: 201
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 19 Quotes

Blunt ignored my well-meant offers. He spoke to Poirot. “D’you really think—” he began, and stopped.
He is one of those inarticulate men who find it hard to put things into words.
Poirot knows no such disability. “If you doubt me, ask her yourself, monsieur.”

Related Characters: Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker), Major Hector Blunt (speaker), Flora Ackroyd
Page Number: 220
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 20 Quotes

It occurred to me that there was not much which escaped Hercule Poirot.

Related Characters: Dr. James Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”)
Page Number: 233
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 22 Quotes

“It says that Ralph has been arrested. So everything is useless. I need not pretend any longer.”
“Newspaper paragraphs are not always true, mademoiselle,” murmured Poirot, having the grace to look ashamed of himself, “All the same, I think you will do well to make a clean breast of things. The truth is what we need now.”

Related Characters: Dr. James Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker), Ursula Bourne / Ursula Paton (speaker), Ralph Paton
Page Number: 244
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 23 Quotes

“I congratulate you—on your modesty!”
“Oh!” I said, rather taken aback.
“And on your reticence,” he added.

I said “Oh!” again.

“Not so did Hastings write,” continued my friend. “On every page, many, many times was the word ‘I’. What he thought—what he did. But you—you have kept your personality in the background; only once or twice does it obtrude—in scenes of home life, shall we say?”

Related Characters: Dr. James Sheppard (speaker), Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”)
Page Number: 255
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 24 Quotes

I invent a nephew with mental trouble. I consult Mademoiselle Sheppard as to suitable homes. She gives me the names of two near Cranchester to which her brother has sent patients. I make inquiries. Yes, at one of them a patient was brought there by the doctor himself early on Saturday morning.

Related Characters: Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker), Dr. James Sheppard, Caroline Sheppard
Page Number: 268
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 25 Quotes

“A person who was at the Three Boars earlier that day, a person who knew Ackroyd well enough to know that he had purchased a dictaphone, a person who was of a mechanical turn of mind, who had the opportunity to take the dagger from the silver table before Miss Flora arrived, who had with him a receptacle suitable for hiding the dictaphone—such as a black bag—and who had the study to himself for a few minutes after the crime was discovered while Parker was telephoning for the police. In fact—Dr. Sheppard!”

Related Characters: Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker), Dr. James Sheppard, Roger Ackroyd, Flora Ackroyd
Page Number: 278
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 26 Quotes

Remember what I said—the truth goes to Inspector Raglan in the morning. But, for the sake of your good sister, I am willing to give you the chance of another way out. There might be, for instance, an overdose of a sleeping draught.

Related Characters: Hercule Poirot (“Mr. Porrot”) (speaker), Dr. James Sheppard, Caroline Sheppard, Inspector Raglan
Page Number: 282
Explanation and Analysis: