The Interplay of Mood and Order in shaping Narrative Structure and Constructing Red Herrings in Agatha Christie's Crooked House

Akhdan, Ghani (2026) The Interplay of Mood and Order in shaping Narrative Structure and Constructing Red Herrings in Agatha Christie's Crooked House. Sarjana thesis, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung.

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Abstract

This study aims to analyzes the formation of mood and order in Agatha Christie’s Crooked House and examine how the interplay of these two elements shapes the narrative structure and constructs red herrings. This research employs a descriptive qualitative method with a narratological approach. The data consist of narration and dialogues in Crooked House, which are analyzed using Gérard Genette’s narratological theory, particularly the concepts of order and mood, as well as John G. Cawelti’s theory of detective fiction and red herrings. The findings reveal that Christie utilizes various forms of order, particularly analepsis, to regulate the distribution of information and delay the disclosure of crucial facts within the narrative. Meanwhile, the aspect of mood is manifested through the dominance of internal focalization, which restricts information to the perspective of Charles Hayward as the narrator. This limited perspective causes readers to receive information in a partial and subjective manner, leading them to form interpretations that do not always correspond to the actual narrative facts. The interaction between order and mood enables the author to direct readers’ attention toward particular characters, motives, and clues that appear convincing but ultimately prove misleading. Therefore, red herrings in the novel do not merely function as isolated false clues; rather, they emerge from the structured management of chronology, perspective, and information distribution. This study concludes that the success of Crooked House in creating misdirection and sustaining mystery depends on the close relationship between order and mood as narrative strategies. The findings demonstrate that red herrings constitute an integral part of the narrative structure, systematically guiding and manipulating readers’ interpretations within detective fiction.

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