Implications of an Artistic Lifestyle

Characters agree that Amyas’ artistic personality made him eccentric, but there is considerable conflict over the question of whether or not his immoral actions in life can be excused as part of his artistic lifestyle. Because Caroline stays with him, it appears that she excuses his behavior. Many characters, including Meredith and Williams, become upset with Amyas because of the way he treats Caroline; they believe that he should not be provided any extended moral license simply because he is an artist. Williams says to Poirot, “I have never seen, myself, why the possession of artistic ability should be supposed to excuse a man from a decent exercise of self-control” (207). Williams believes that Amyas was not only an unwholesome person but also that he was a bad artist. Her critical and strict view of others makes her believe that even artistic people...