Genre

In 1948, Wystan Hugh Auden wrote an extremely popular analysis of the whodunit. He broke it down chronologically and into components, scientifically defining that which makes the whodunit such a compelling genre to read. The analysis is extremely helpful to both readers and writers of whodunits.This definition of the genre applies loosely to many novels of the sort, but the following page will describe Auden’s components specifically with respect to //A Murder Is Announced//. As expected, Christie deviates from Auden’s definition somewhat because of her unique style of writing. These “wrinkles” and deviations make each whodunit different and captivating for readers. Gues they're all "one of a kind" but at the same time they share similarities. How intriguing.

What is a “Whodunit”?
According to Auden, a Whodunit has a basic formula that is applicable to any form: there is a murder; many people are suspected; elimination of suspects occurs until one is left, the murderer; the murderer is punished. A Whodunit excludes two certain forms: thrillers and “studies of murderers whose guilt is known.” Each detective story has certain requirements: 1. A closed society so that the possibility of any outside murderer is eliminated and so that all the members of the society can be suspects Options: blood relatives, same occupational group, tightly knit geographically, etc. 2. The society should appear to be at a peaceful state, where “murder is the un-heard act.” Auden states that “the detective story has five elements- the milieu, the victim, the murderer, the suspects, the detectives”. Lets see how that fits into this book:
 * The innocence is lost through the murder as it is represented as a crises, however, once the fallen is recognized and eliminated, the innocence is restored.

A History of the "Whodunit" Genre
The Whodunit genre first gained significant prestige between the years of 1920 and 1950, a "Golden Age" for detective fiction, where it posed as the prevailing style of crime writing. Many of the genres's most distinguished authors came from Britain, most notably Nicholas Blake, G. K. Chererton, Christianna Brand, and the author of //A Murder is Announced,// Agatha Christie. Because of the predominantly English demographic of the authors, a unique English style was gradually developed and associated with the Whodunit. Many "foreign" authors began to mimic this style, such as American authors, S.S. Van Dine, John Dickson Carr, and Ellery Queen. However, others such as Rex Stout, Clayton Rawson, and Earl Derr Biggers developed their own American style of the whodunit.

Etymology
The genre's unique name "Whodunit" (or perhaps its more grammatically correct albeit not as fun name "Who did it?") was first coined by an English journalist //Wolfe// //Kaufman// in 1935 while working for //Variety// magazines. However an editor of the magazine attributed it to Kaufman's predecessor //Sime Silverman//. The earliest appearance of the word "Whodunit" occurred in 1934 while referencing the film adaptation of the play //Recipe for Murder//.

Milieu
Auden’s take: A Milieu is an unprejudiced space where nothing particular ever happens. In AMIA, we are quickly introduced to the close-knit, quiet town of Chipping Cleghorn. Everyone is all up in everyone else's business, and everyone knew the daily gossip. It was not uncommon for neighbors to leave their house doors unlocked (even at night!), which implies that the neighbors carried a certain minimum level of trust with each other. Everyone seems to participate in the events that go on in Chipping Cleghorn, and reading the Gazette is a pious tradition. The stagnant town appears to be without a trouble in the world. Yet things go awry when the first of a series of murders occurs at Little Paddocks, which ultimately tarnishes any sense of innocence that is offered to the reader in the beginning of the novel. Lets hope all that lost innocence and peace is eventually restored..

Victim
Auden’s take: A victim is required to fulfill two requirements that contradict each other. The victim must involve those around him/her in suspicion. This reflects the victim’s bad character. However, at the same time, he/she must make others feel guilty and maybe sympathetic, revealing that the victim is a good person. In one person, there is both a good and bad character that is evident through his/her actions, speech and manner. These two main victims satisfy the requirements of a whodunit victim very well. Both of these characters have caused some suspicion to be aroused about them, and people feel guilty when both of these characters are dead as well. Guess it fits Auden's take!
 * Dora Brunner
 * Amy

Murderer
Auden’s take: Since murder has such a negative connotation, the murderer is simply a rebel who claims to be innocent. He or she conceals the demon within them and appears to be like the rest in the story. The challenge of the writer is to hide those evil values and intentions of the murderer, so that when the identity is revealed, it is a shock to the reader. Although it may shock the reader, it should also bring them to realize how everything added up throughout the story.

Suspects
Auden’s take: In a detective story society, everyone appears to be innocent. The murder disrupts the peace that has been instilled in the society. Opposition among the characteristics is evident in their mannerisms, however there must be a source of guilt for the suspects. They cannot each be completely innocent, or else, they will become less important to the reader. Causes of guilt include: the intention of committing murder, some level of innocence that refuses to cooperate with the investigation taking place, lacking faith in some of the other suspects or an assertion superiority over the police (the suspect tries to solve the case and offer opinion). All of these characters fit the description of a whodunit suspect very well. All of these characters demonstrate having a motive, being uncooperative with the authorities, and a lack of faith in all the other suspects. Way to follow Auden.
 * Patrick Simmons
 * Julia Simmons
 * Pip Goedler
 * Emma Goedler

Detectives
Auden’s take: The detectives have a certain duty in the story. They must be able to restore the peaceful state back to the society. He or she must do the best they can to get to the bottom of the crime and represent a person filled with ethical and moral values, along with a keen sense of judgement. It is important that the detective is simply a stranger so that he or she does not have the possibility of participating in the crime in some way. The detective does not have a motive to figure out who is guilty and simply does his/ her job. Because he/she is a stranger, it is hard to gain the trust and confidence of the society, however, continues to work towards the goal throughout the story. All of these characters fit the description of a whodunit detective very well. Each of them used their sneaky ways and intuitions to figure things out. They put the puzzle pieces together, and hopefully caught the murderer red-handed. HA! All of these characters attempt to restore the ethics that have been broken by the murderer.
 * Dermot Craddock
 * George Rysedale
 * Henry Cathering
 * Sergeant Fletcher
 * Miss Marple

Clearly Agatha Christie's //A Murder is Announced// follows the criteria for being a Whodunit novel (according to Auden's definition) and through her craft and writing techniques, Agatha Christie has managed to create a perfect example of what a Whodunit novel consists of: The Whodunit formula (series of events surrounding murder or crime), a victim, a criminal/murderer, a detective(s) and the suspects. Way to go Agatha.