Providing insight of old English order, Hector Blunt states, “Oh! money! All the troubles in the world can be put down to money – or the lack of it” (115). In The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, by Agatha Christie, the aristocrats are encompassed by these wealth troubles mentioned by Blunt. These aristocrats belong to the old English hierarchy, which segregates the aristocracy from the commonwealth and prevents class movement between the two. The aristocracy consists of the wealthiest upperclassmen holding immense political influence. This immense wealth is then succeeded by the next generations, maintaining the wealth and reputation within the family. However, this transfer of money, serves as trouble for aristocratic families like the Ackroyds.
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“Money went through his hands like water,” describes Ralph Paton’s experience with money (113). Due to his chronic spending habits, Paton diminishes the family fortune to his various debts and liabilities. Unfortunately, the dwindling family fortune parallels the decline of Paton’s reputation. After the murder of Roger Ackroyd, Paton was immediately suspected and labelled as his step father’s murderer, despite not proven guilty. The sudden accusation exhibits the town’s perspective of the family; they’re no longer seen as the influential and generous family. Similarly, Flora conjures a bad reputation due to the dwindling family fortune. Due to her rich relations, Flora purchases various coats, skirts, and hats (105). However, Flora says in a low voice, that they “cost me something, don’t let’s talk of horrid things” (105). Flora’s tone when recounting of her purchases reveals the immense cost of the purchases to which she resorted to underhanded methods to pay it back. Flora later admits, “I stole. I am a thief - yes, a common, vulgar, thief” (217). By confessing her crimes, she is placing a bad reputation from within the family. Now known as murderers and thieves, the reputation of the Ackroyd family continues to deteriorate from the town and family’s perspective. As the family starts losing money and reputation, they will inevitably lose their dominance in English
“Money went through his hands like water,” describes Ralph Paton’s experience with money (113). Due to his chronic spending habits, Paton diminishes the family fortune to his various debts and liabilities. Unfortunately, the dwindling family fortune parallels the decline of Paton’s reputation. After the murder of Roger Ackroyd, Paton was immediately suspected and labelled as his step father’s murderer, despite not proven guilty. The sudden accusation exhibits the town’s perspective of the family; they’re no longer seen as the influential and generous family. Similarly, Flora conjures a bad reputation due to the dwindling family fortune. Due to her rich relations, Flora purchases various coats, skirts, and hats (105). However, Flora says in a low voice, that they “cost me something, don’t let’s talk of horrid things” (105). Flora’s tone when recounting of her purchases reveals the immense cost of the purchases to which she resorted to underhanded methods to pay it back. Flora later admits, “I stole. I am a thief - yes, a common, vulgar, thief” (217). By confessing her crimes, she is placing a bad reputation from within the family. Now known as murderers and thieves, the reputation of the Ackroyd family continues to deteriorate from the town and family’s perspective. As the family starts losing money and reputation, they will inevitably lose their dominance in English