The Intertextual Use of Greek Mythology in Agatha Christie’s Detective Fiction
The Intertextual Use of Greek Mythology in Agatha Christie’s Detective Fiction
Author(s): Tatiana V. TernopolSubject(s): Social Sciences, Language and Literature Studies, Education, Foreign languages learning, Theoretical Linguistics, Studies of Literature, Comparative Linguistics, Comparative Study of Literature, Greek Literature, Higher Education , Theory of Literature
Published by: Нов български университет
Keywords: detective fiction; intertextuality; hypotext; allusion; intertext; Greek myths; Agatha Christie
Summary/Abstract: This study investigates the intertextual use of Greek mythology in Agatha Christie’s short stories Philomel Cottage, The Face of Helen, and The Oracle at Delphi, a short story collection The Labours of Hercules, and a novel, Nemesis. The results of this research based on the hermeneutical and comparative methods reveal that A. Christie’s intertextual formula developed over time. In her early works, allusions were based on characters' appearances and functions as well as on the use of motifs and themes from Greek myths. Later on, she turned to using allusory character names; this would mislead her readers who thought they already knew the formula of her stories. Although not a postmodern writer, A. Christie enjoyed playing games of allusion with her readers. She wanted them not only to solve a case but also to discover and interpret the intertextual references.
Journal: English Studies at NBU
- Issue Year: 6/2020
- Issue No: 2
- Page Range: 321-331
- Page Count: 11
- Language: English