ASSIGNMENT 2

THE CASE OF A PERFECT MAID

Abstract: This study explores how class hierarchies exploit, alienate, and commodify the lower

working class, particularly women. This research attempts to conduct the Marxist feminist analysis

by employing Eleanor Marx's idea of labor exploitation and intersectionality of class and gender

in terms of highlighting the advocation of a classless society that eliminates the discrimination of

gender roles and exploitation of women. The study reveals that the character's act of disguising

herself as a maid to achieve her personal goal demeans the lower-class work labor. By disguising

herself as a maid, the character thinks she cannot get caught because lower-class women are

undervalued, overlooked and their individualities are disregarded. Therefore, by investigating the

intersections of class hierarchy, gender roles, and oppression, this study will contribute to

understanding upper-class roles in perpetuating patriarchal oppression also the subversion of

women against traditional gender roles.

Keywords: class hierarchy, gender roles, domesticity, oppression, marginalization

Introduction: The narrative of the short story “The Case of a Perfect Maid” revolves around the

detective case about exposing the real thief, which is eventually solved by Miss Marple, an old

lady. The story extends beyond a mystery case and encapsulates broader themes of class struggle,

and deception. Christie's story highlights the tension of how easy it is to downplay the women who

are low in class hierarchies. False accusations against Gladys depict the unjust system of the upper

class for lower class working women, resulting in the double marginalization of poor women, who

have no say, not even to express their innocence. The story reveals that Emily, the central character,
disguises herself as Mary, the maid and she commodifies herself. Her act is perpetuating capitalism

and patriarchy by exploiting working-class women and stealing their identity, considering

proletariat women's identities as hollow and using them in manipulative tactics, in the dynamics

of the household. Furthermore, Miss Marple emerged as a woman who subverted the traditional

gender roles of women and played the role of detective and identified the real thief, showcasing

another aspect of womanhood. The research objective of this study is to investigate the

representation of gender roles, class differences, and deception and to analyze how Miss Marple

challenged societal expectations regarding gender roles and Emily's subversion of the instituted

power dynamics within the domestic sphere. The research question of the study is to know how

Emily's deception game assists in subverting the instituted power dynamics within the domestic

sphere while showing how gender norms are depicted through the story’s characters and how they

intersect with class dynamics. By analyzing how Christie represented lower-class oppression, this

research aims to shed light on ways by which the upper class manipulates situations for their gain

or benefit to exploit lower-class women.

Theoretical Framework: "The Case of a Perfect Maid" provides a critical analysis of the story

through Marxist feminist Eleanor Marx’s idea of labor exploitation. This approach allows us to

examine how economic structures and gender dynamics intersect in shaping characters'

experiences and relationships. By applying Marxist feminist theory labor exploitation, gender

inequality, and power dynamics are interrogated and investigated within the context of the story.

This study aims to investigate the idea of domesticity and question traditional gender roles by

subverting traditional femininity.

Analysis: “The Case of Perfect Maid” is a detective fiction that not only serves as a mystery case

but also provides a lens through which broader societal issues such as class struggle, deception,
and gender roles are explored. The depiction of Emily as maid Mary highlights the exploitation of

working-class women in a hierarchal society. Eleanor Marx focused on the systematic exploitation

of laborers especially women in a patriarchal society and similarly Emily’s actions portrayed the

exploitation of working-class women and the way she stole her maid’s identity for her

manipulative purpose within the household dynamics. It shows the worst side of capitalism and

patriarchal society. Emily’s use of deception in a patriarchal society reflects that upper-class

women use deception as a means to maintain their social status, protect their privileges, or achieve

personal goals within the boundaries of the patriarchal system. Deception can be a tool for survival

or advancement in a patriarchal structure where women's voices and actions are often marginalized

or dismissed.

The false accusation against Gladdie shows the double marginalization faced by poor women in

lower-class hierarchies. Lower-class women are exploited by patriarchal society as well as women

of higher class leading to double marginalization. The story exposes how easily women in the

lower classes can be disregarded and falsely accused due to their lack of agency and voice in

society. Miss Skinner accused Gladdie of taking brooches. Although there is no proper evidence

against her due to her lower status in society she was accused. As it was stated by Emily “I am

almost certain she took it. And then got frightened and put it back when police were mentioned—

but of course one can't say anything unless one is sure (the case of a perfect maid 6)". It also shows

the dichotomy of Emily’s words and reveals that the lower class always suffers in such cases and

is not allowed to prove their innocence.

Miss Marple being an old yet smart lady revealed the truth about Emily being the real thief but all

the credit goes to the police inspector for solving the case. It shows how women are associated

with certain inferior roles in society and all the credit for solving the mystery goes to the officer
because no one can imagine a female detective in a male-dominant and authoritative society. It

also reflects the idea of male superiority over women and how women were only associated with

the domestic sphere and were considered to lack the ability of rational thinking. Miss Marple's

character challenged all traditional gender norms and stereotypes through her intelligence and

detective skills. Her character represents the power of women's intellect and subverts passive or

secondary roles typically assigned to women in patriarchal settings. She seems to be a role model

for women, that they can also be strong, independent, and influential figures in a patriarchal world

just like men. She dismantled gender biases and stereotypes in society. In addition, deception is

also used as a tool in patriarchal society by women for the sake of position and power in society

because of limited opportunities. So, Emily’s deception is used as a tool for survival in a society

where women's voices are marginalized. Furthermore, the phrase “It does seem too good to be

true” is mentioned four times in the story highlighting the fact that not everything that appears is

true and how people hide their true identity behind the mask of respectability. It also foreshadows

Plato’s idea of deceptive reality. In the story, deception was used by a woman against women of

the labor class resulting in the exploitation of the lower class, highlighting the complexities of

human nature and identity.

Conclusion:

The representation of gender roles, class differences, and deception in "The Case of the Perfect

Maid," revealed how Miss Marple challenged societal norms and Emily disrupted power dynamics

in the domestic sphere. By analyzing Emily's deceptive actions, the research sheds light on the

subversion of established power structures within the household. Through the lens of Marxist

feminism, this research offers a comprehensive understanding of societal norms and established

power structures and how characters navigate traditional roles and power dynamics in stories.
Work cited:

https://www.agathachristie.com/en/stories/the-case-of-the-perfect-maid

https://www.marxists.org/history/erol/ncm-8/mloc-woman-question.pdf