The Great Train Robbery

Compare and contrast Miriam and Elizabeth Trent. How do they conform to Victorian ideas about women, and how do they defy such conventions?

In what ways does Crichton portray Pierce in a positive light while simultaneously making him an unsympathetic character? Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

How does Crichton’s fictionalized account differ from the historical reality of The Great Gold Robbery of 1855? Identify at least three key departures from history and explain why Crichton might have made these changes.

The characters of Mr. Henry Fowler and Mr. Trent both take part in criminal activities. Describe these activities and analyze how they highlight the Victorians’ Misconceptions About the Nature of Crime.

How are the police portrayed in The Great Train Robbery? What does this portrayal suggest about Crichton’s stance on law enforcement?

Describe the income inequality in Victorian England as shown in The Great Train Robbery. How is this income inequality reflected in Victorian society at large?

Why does Pierce compartmentalize information about the scheme when discussing the upcoming heist with his co-conspirators? How is this compartmentalization portrayed in the narrative itself?

To what extent is Victorian London a character in the text? Describe how the setting impacts the plot.