The book I am currently reading is the detective fiction, Mrs. McGinty’s Death written by Agatha Christie. The book relays the story of a murder convict who is believed to be innocent by well-renounced detective Hercule Poirot. The convict’s immediate acceptance of his fate doesn’t reside well with Poirot, encouraging him to explore the alternate circumstances and uncover the reality of the murder. The following quote is shared between Poirot and a superintendent assisting him on the case.
“In case, I would prefer to say, that some circumstances should strike me in a different light to the one which it struck you. Human reactions vary and so does human experience.” (pg.142).
This quote reveals the peculiar reality of perception. Although the same movement, event, or even object is presented to us, everyone will conjure diverse thoughts and responses. Our brain fills in the absence of context or information provided based on our past experiences, emotions, and identities. Our brain may unconsciously alter our perception to correspond with our desires and expectations. We subconsciously choose different aspects of a message, compared to one another, our attention focusing on what we distinguish as important or familiar. In reference to this particular plot, Poirot is explaining that to properly assess all aspects of crime and unknown circumstances, various people must be involved to account for a variety and perspectives and experiences.