Miss+Hinchliffe

Miss Hinchliffe

 * Character Analysis **

Miss Hinchliffe is straightforward, practical woman who works hard to take care of her animals. Besides the pigs, hens, and ducks that she watches over, Miss Hinchliffe also cares for her friend, Miss Murgatroyd. Because Miss Murgatroyd is not that bright, Miss Hinchliffe, also called "Hinch", is always there to turn to for a solid opinion or decision.

She is very rational, the first scene she is in describes her as being "made of sterner and more single-minded stuff". It also says that "she was intent of dealing with recalcitrant poultry and no announcement in a paper, however enigmatic, could deflect her." In other words, she just cares about her work, here and now. It is also noted that Miss Hinchliffe is not an emotional gal. She was not interested in the murder party, nor expressively frightened during it. Turns out, that Miss Hinchliffe does not have the feelings of a rock, because when her dear friend is killed, the reader catches a glimpse of the pain she feels due to her "ravaged face" only a few hours later.

Lastly, it is important to know that Miss Hinchliffe is not sophisticated, but actually a bit crude. She uses swear words and informal slang. She alludes to her time spent in WWII, in the Air Raid Precautions, which would explain her unladylike-likeness, industriousness, and desire for order around her farm.