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Commentary

We may surmise that although a murder hasn't happened yet, that there is a stirring of circumstances by which one will be committed. Miss Marple, the sleuth will deduce what we as readers may not be able to.

Chapter 4

Let me say that in my perusal of Chapter 4 that I'm unphased by the narrative that Lawrence Redding whose character analysis begins is, "good at everything". To me the unrealistic nature of this statement may be more indicative of the narrator's inabilities than the final analysis of the character of Lawrence. Proof of my observation lies in the fact that Lawrence is anxious to speak to the Vicar about having stumbled upon the Lawrence/Mrs. Protheroe affair. Indeed, if Lawrence were good at everything, he would integrate a conscience about what to do for his times of infidelity. 

Echoes of the sentiment that Colonel Protheroe should die are explicated here in Chapter 4. An underlying theme that St. Mary Mead is a small town with everybody knowing each other's business is also reasserted. It is the "instinct of village life" according to the words of the story.

In Chapter 4 Mrs. Christie uses the word inamorata. Please let me define it according to Webster's New World College Dictionary. inamorata: n. from inamorare>to fall in love. a woman in relation to the person who loves her, sweetheart or lover.

Griselda's taste for an exciting event, "How I would like a thrill of some kind. A murder or even a burglary." is also precursory to the actual event. The anticipation of its occurence is building. It is going to be interesting to see what kind of impact a murder has for the plot after it has been popularized in the dialect so often.

While the stage is being set for what I've concluded is the inevitability of a murder, Chapter 4 is indicative of the need to be able to shelter one's own reputation from gossip and to understand the perplexity of a plot that revolves around gossip and its seemingly endless chatter of innuendo.

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The story penned by Ms. Christie is told in the voice of the Vicar. Chapter One's allusion to murder on the first page is as it should be, an element of shock. Whose Vicar talks of murder? In this case the Vicar talks about the possible murder of Colonel Protheroe.

The Vicar expounds on his younger wife Griselda. She is of no apparent use to him. Griselda has a certain flirtatiousness about her. Yet, a seemingly subtle sensuality gives way to something much darker in her. She employs herself meddling in other people's business. The Vicar dismisses her as some sort of mindless triviality whose employ in life is beyond his expectations.

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 Comments

       I have a plethora of Agatha Christie novels. They are hardbound and just too tempting to leave to gather dust on the shelf, you know? So, as I open Murder at the Vicarage, I'm perplexed. I want to blog more frequently about what I read in order to come to terms with the genre of murder mystery and will do so in order to unravel chapter by chapter.

Cast of characters or Dramatis Personae

      Chapter one of Murder at the Vicarage is a perplexing array of folks such as Colonel Protheroe, Dennis, Mary, Griselda, Mr. Hawes,, Mrs. Price Ridley,Canon Shirley, Miss Wetherby, Miss Hartnell, Miss Marple, Doctor Stone,Miss Cram, Mrs. Lestrange, Doctor Haydock.

 Locations mentioned

      Places in chapter one are the Vicarage, and High Church.

 Acronyms of mention

     Mysterious organizations only identified by initials are S.P.G. that apparently has accountable funds. Also, C.E.M.S., for which a talk is being prepared. 

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I Am What I Ate...and I'm frightened!!! by comedian, actor, author Bill Cosby is a light hearted approach to some serious subjects. Don't expect to hear about diet from a would-be diet guru here. This is a common sense approach to analyzing the things we do, but don't want to admit to doing. All the vices are here including the excuses for and against stopping or starting things that we frequently hear about as being "good" for us. This is fun to read, short chapters, and good common sense. I bought it at the drugstore.

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