The Mousetrap

Act I, Scene 1, Pages 1-15

Reading Check

1. “Three Blind Mice” (Act I, Scene 1, Pages 1-4)

2. They run a guest house. (Act I, Scene 1, Pages 1-4)

3. Mrs. Maureen Lyon (Act I, Scene 1, Pages 1-15)

4. A nursery rhyme (Act I, Scene 1, Pages 5-15)

5. Mrs. Boyle (Act I, Scene 1, Pages 5-15)

Short Answer

1. The play opens in Monkswell Manor, an isolated place, where a snowstorm has trapped residents inside. The snow is first mentioned upon the entry of the Ralstons; later, Mrs. Boyle explains that her taxi refused to enter the drive because of the worsening weather conditions. (Act I, Scene 1, Pages 1-15)

2. Both Giles and Mollie Ralston were away from home when the murder discussed on the radio took place. As the radio broadcast describes the suspect’s clothing—a dark overcoat, light scarf, and soft felt hat—the audience sees that this description matches the clothes Giles and Mollie own. (Act I, Scene 1, Pages 1-4)

3. Christopher is described as unruly looking with long untidy hair, an artistic tie, and a confiding childish manner. Christopher’s mannerisms are somewhat off-putting to the Ralstons as he both praises and criticizes their furniture choices, mannerisms, and lifestyle in an ostentatious manner. He makes the comment that he believes Giles dislikes him and Mollie attempts to usher him away to his room quickly—possibly indicating her own dislike for him. Christopher describes his curiosity about people and his desire to know everything about them. This is further supported when he eagerly reads the newspaper to learn about the killer of Mrs. Maurine Lyon. (Act I, Scene 1, Pages 5-15)

4. Mrs. Boyle, who is in a bad temper, makes an unfair accusation of the Ralstons, criticizes Mollie, and disparages the manor. Insulted, Giles invites Mrs. Boyle to leave. Mollie praises his confrontation with Mrs. Boyle in an aside. Christopher declares that Mrs. Boyle is a horrible woman and says he dislikes her. (Act I, Scene 1, Pages 5-15)

5. Mr. Paravicini jokes about being a mysterious person and how the characters are now isolated due to the weather. The Ralstons express some unease, and the mood of the play darkens. He seems suspicious. (Act I, Scene 1, Pages 5-15)

Act I, Scene 2, Pages 15-33

Reading Check

1. Pale Pink (Act I, Scene 2, Pages 15-22)

2. Superintendent Hogben (Act I, Scene 2, Pages 15-22)

3. Sergeant Trotter (Act I, Scene 2, Pages 23-33)

4. He is too young. (Act I, Scene 2, Pages 23-33)

5. Corrigan (Act I, Scene 2, Pages 23-33)

Short Answer

1. Mr. Metcalf is cheerful and optimistic; Mrs. Boyle complains and looks for faults. For instance, while Mr. Metcalf praises the breakfast Mollie prepared for the guests, Mrs. Boyle calls the hosts amateurs and wishes the home were better staffed. (Act I, Scene 2, Pages 15-22)

2. When Mrs. Boyle begins questioning Miss Casewell about her past or her recent whereabouts, she becomes evasive and turns on the radio loud enough to drive Mrs. Boyle out of the room. This causes Miss Casewell to seem secretive and suspicious. (Act I, Scene 2, Pages 15-22)

3. When Mollie and Giles learn the police are supposedly arriving, their first thoughts go to business paperwork and legal regulations. As their natural reaction is that this police visit is for a business inspection—and not a murder investigation—they seem less suspicious than the others. (Act I, Scene 2, Pages 15-22)

4. Paravicini drops the poker he is holding when he hears the news. Major Metcalf freezes. (Act I, Scene 2, Pages 15-22)

5. Mrs. Boyle was the magistrate who inadvertently assigned the Caldwell children to an abusive foster home, where they were mistreated by Mr. and Mrs. Stanning. Since the killer is suspected to be a Caldwell child, Mrs. Boyle is naturally considered to be a target. (Act I, Scene 2, Pages 15-22)

Act II-Appendices, Pages 34-65

Reading Check

1. Christopher Wren (Act II, Pages 34-48)

2. A London bus ticket (Act II, Pages 34-48)

3. Skis (Act II, Pages 48-65)

4. Georgie Caldwell (Act II, Pages 48-65)

5. Georgie Caldwell (Act II, Pages 48-65)

Short Answer

1. Trotter believes the three blind mice indicate how many people are being targeted by the killer. Though there are only two addresses in the notebook, the number of people at the manor may indicate a wider number of victims. (Act II, Pages 34-48)

2. Christopher was alone when the murder occurred. He claimed to be brushing his hair, which appeared still disheveled. Paravicini was playing “Three Blind Mice” on the piano at the time of the crime. This tune, being what the murderer referenced during his murder, causes the others to believe he is a potential suspect. Additionally, the odd and eccentric behavior of the two causes the others to cast suspicion on them. For example, Christopher earlier hid behind a curtain in the manor and jumped out at Mollie and Giles. Paravicini, likewise, has a strange smile on his face when the others question him about being involved in the crime. The two make references to their preference for the macabre. (Various acts)

3. Mollie casts suspicion on several characters in the play. Among the Corrigans, Trotter suspects it is either the oldest boy, the girl, or the Corrigan father. His assertion broadens the pool of suspects to all who are present in the manor. Mollie doubts Christopher is involved because of his child-like nature, but Trotter believes he meets the description as mentally unstable, childish, and desertion from the army. Major Metcalf is implicated because of his military experience, Mr. Paravicini because of his shock when learning of the police, Miss Casewell because of her masculine mannerisms, and Mr. and Mrs. Ralston because of their secret visits to London. (Act II, Pages 34-48)

4. Mollie and Christopher both identify that they are running away from something. Mollie tells Christopher he cannot hide from Trotter and that he cannot run away from everything. Christopher reveals that he wishes he did not have to grow up and that he ran away from the military, but maintains he is not the murderer. Mollie tells Christopher she is running away from something in her past that is so awful she tries to put it out of her mind. (Act II, Pages 34-48)

5. Mollie’s maiden name is revealed to be Waring. She taught in the school the Caldwell children attended. The Caldwell children wrote a letter to Miss Waring asking for help because of the abuse inflicted on them by their caregivers. Miss Waring claims she did not receive the letter until it was too late to help because she had pneumonia. By the time Miss Waring read the letter, one of the Caldwell children had died. (Act II, Pages 48-65)