Abstract

The prime concern of this major thesis is to gain some information about English society in the early 20th century, especially the twenties and thirties as reflected in Agatha Christie's texts featuring Hercule Poirot. At first, I describe the genre of detective story - the beginnings and developments during the late 19th and early 20th century, with concentration on the interwar period, which is considered to be the Golden Age of detective fiction connected with the expansion of women writers. I examine the development of detective hero in British literature and mention the debate about detectives, types of crime and other topics that led to an incredible success of this genre. Then I concentrate on Agatha Christie, her life and the influences that made her the uncrowned Queen of Crime, such as her work as pharmaceutical dispensary at the hospital, where she gained her knowledge of poisons. Finally, I deal with the character of Hercule Poirot, his appearance, personal qualities, origin, family, popularity and also the detective methods, which always unmistakably lead to the right solution of the crime. Even though the detective was definitely created to ridicule the infallible detectives of the period, with his exuberant use of French in his speech, minute and somehow adorable inaccuracies in his English, his theatrical attitudes and gallant manners, he is full of human comprehension that helps him solve any case that comes in his way. I include some comments on Captain Hastings, who is the helper of Hercule Poirot in the short stories. …víceméně