Chekhov's gun is a narrative principle that states that every element introduced into a story must be necessary and become relevant at some later time in the plot. In Chekhov's words, "If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in in the following one it should be fired. Otherwise don't put it there."[1]
Agatha Christie is known to be very careful with her plotting and world building such that every detail mentioned early on ultimately contributed to the conclusion of the story, or else served as legitimate red herrings. However there are times when she appears to have violated the rule of Chekhov's Gun. As seen in the list below, there were occasions when she introduces something that looks very much like it would have a role in the plot but is either not picked up later or left unresolved.
This list does not include legitimate red herrings or characters and descriptions introduced early on as part of world building.
- By the Pricking of My Thumbs - the dead child behind the fireplace. The conversation relating to this occupies a large part of chapter 2 but who this was and what it is about is never resolved. Nor does this function in the traditional sense of a legitimate red herring. Indeed Tuppence follows this line of enquiry quite diligently but it is later set aside.
References[]
- ↑ Ilia Gurliand, "Reminiscences of A.P. Chekhov", Театр и искусство (Teatr i iskusstvo - Theater and art), (28): 521, 11 Jul 1904.