Modern criticism of Agatha Christie often centers on her outdated caricatures of people from different races and classes. What do her portrayals of Inspector Slack, Mary, and Miss Cram say about the dominant beliefs of Christie’s time and socioeconomic group?

The age difference between Clement and Griselda mirrors that of Anne Protheroe and Lawrence Redding. What might be the message Christie is sending by making these characters reverse images of each other?

The surnames of characters in Murder at the Vicarage are often humorous or point to some aspect of their character, such as Inspector Slack, who behaves in the exact opposite manner of his name. Which other names stood out to you, and how do they align with their characters?