The Importance Of Identity In 'The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd'

Identity remains as one of the few things humans have absolute control over. Every person’s is singular to his or her own self. Though some may argue that identity cannot be shaped or molded, a vast importance of human existence is that we are self-aware enough to change who we are. That is what differs us from other mammals. Not only can humans alter their identity, but they can also hide a true one. Agatha Christie uses the hidden identity in many of her mystery novels, in particular, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Almost all the characters in the novel use social class as a crutch for the reason of their lies. Their class status is engrained into who they are. In The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Agatha Christy creates a conception of identity using social class status to challenge the characteristics we perceive of not only a murderer, but also those around us, which in turn reveals that humans have the ability to hide their true identity, making it difficult to trust those close to us. During the entire novel, Dr. Sheppard is never once considered a suspect because he is considered to be a trustworthy man due to his class status. Early in the book, Poirot, not yet knowing who the culprit is, says, “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” (201). Unfortunately, during the last chapter it is revealed that Dr. Sheppard is that cunning, ordinary man to say the least. Having fooled everyone