Murder on the Orient Express Justice and Judgment Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #10

"Ratchett had escaped justice in America. There was no question as to his guilt. I visualized a self-appointed jury of twelve people who condemned him to death and were forced by exigencies of the case to be their own executioners. And immediately, on that assumption, the whole case fell into beautiful shining order." (3.9.59)

Again, Poirot elaborates the metaphor.

Quote #11

"I would have stabbed that man twelve times willingly. It wasn't only that he was responsible for my daughter's death and her child's, and that of the other child who might have been alive and happy now. It was more than that. There had been other children before Daisy – there might be others in the future." (3.9.83)

Linda Arden admits that she would have taken on the sole role of executioner if she had to. Clearly she thinks of this as a case of justice, not revenge. Her motivation is preventing Ratchett from killing again, not simply getting back at him for murdering her granddaughter.

Quote #12

M. Bouc cleared his throat.

"In my opinion, M. Poirot," he said, "the first theory you put forward was the correct one ¬– decidedly so. I suggest that that is the solution we offer to the Yugo-Slavian police when they arrive." (3.9.89)

Dr. Constantine and M. Bouc agree that justice has indeed been served. Check out "What's Up with the Ending?" for more on this.