English 11: Setting and Context in The Secret Adversary by Christie

This assignment analyzes the setting of Agatha Christie's novel, 'The Secret Adversary,' focusing on the time and place where the story unfolds. The analysis examines the post-war London setting, characterized by widespread unemployment and desperation, which significantly impacts the characters of Tommy and Tuppence. The assignment explores how the societal conditions, including the search for Jane Finn and the prevalence of bribery, influence the plot and character motivations. Furthermore, it considers whether the story's core themes of unemployment and corruption could be adapted to different settings, highlighting the universality of these issues. The solution references key events and character interactions, providing a comprehensive understanding of the setting's impact on the narrative.

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English 11
Name
Institution

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The setting of the book
The novel is written by Agatha Christie during a post war in London that leaves most
people with no employment because they had lost their jobs. The two characters who are Tommy
and Tuppence have also been affected in this time. They both lost their former jobs and are now
desperate and have no any other means to survive, (Bernthal, 2016). During this this time the
government is under pressure in the search of a lady who had some important documents in the
Lusitania that sank in the sea four years ago. The people are worried if the lady is still alive and
if she survived where could she be during that long period of time. The lady in question is Jane
Finn. At the same moment, Tommy and Tuppence sits in a place to hold a detailed meeting of
what they could do, (Keitel, 2018). They are so desperate and they decide among themselves that
they would do anything in the name of job so as to survive. As they continue to talk, Mr.
Whittington overhears their discussion and takes advantage of their situation. He calls Tuppence
to join him in his office where he tells about the job offer but bribes to remain silent about it
because he thinks Tuppence knows her by the mention of the name. The task is so risky for the
two characters because they are exposed to any harm that might come their way, (Makinen,
2016).
It is possible that the story could take place in a different sitting. This is because the
issues that have been highlighted in the novel are issues that occur everywhere in the current
world. There doesn’t have to be a war for people to go jobless. In most of the developing
countries, the crisis for unemployment is so common. There are many people like Tommy and
Tuppence who are desperately seeking for anything to so as to earn a living. They later get end
up getting themselves into risky situations that it could be difficult to get out of. The story could
also take place in a different setting because of the issue of bribery that is taking place

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everywhere in the world. Mr. Whittington bribes Tuppence to stay quiet about Jane Finn to
protect her life. These are issues that are experienced in every sector of the world. People always
want things to get done for them even if it is through bribery they would be more than willing to
give out what it takes. An example is corruption in the state governments of the world where
people give and take bribes for their personal benefits. Being in a state of desperation always
lead people to carry out tasks that would harm them or the other people surrounding The
character of Tommy and Tuppence could also be in a setting where desperacy would lead
someone to get involved in criminal activities by being promised a good money while their lives
are in danger all through the process, (Keitel, 2018).
REFERENCES

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Bernthal, J. C. (2016). Constructing Agatha Christie. The Great Adversary 1-50.
doi:10.1007/978-3-319-33533-9_2
Keitel, E. (2018). Christie, Agatha (The Plot Sumary of the Great Adversary). Metzler
Autorinnen Lexikon, 1-50. doi:10.1007/978-3-476-03702-2_68
Keitel, E. (2018). Christie, Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa (1890–1976). Oxford Dictionary of
National Biography. doi:10.1093/odnb/9780192683120.013.30926
Makinen, M. (2016). Representing Women of Violence Agatha Christie and Her Contemporary
Culture. Agatha Christie, 135-157. doi:10.1057/9780230598270_6