Can you explain the title 'ordeal by innocence'?

Question

it's one of Agatha Christie's books which I've read it and loved it. but I can't get the meaning of the title.

Answer 1

It derives from medieval "truth" determiners. ordeal by water is the famous one, where they dunk the person to see if they are a witch. There was also one where a person had to hold a hot stone and swear a vow, and if the stone did not burn them, the vow was "true". Ordeal is used in its older sense, meaning trial.

If I remember the book you're referrring to (and I read it many many years ago), its the one with the person who spends years in prison, while their alibi is off on an artic expedition or something. So she's kind of playing on the word ordeal, its old and new meanings.

Not sure how clear as answer that was (just woke up). hope it helps

Answer 2

i can give you examples of it.....

imagine going to a new church and the girls take one look at you and think you are a womanizer looking for some virgins, they tell all of the other girls in church about you. none of the girls ever talk to you or have a guy friend of their's talk to you, if they did, they'd learn you were a virgin too and was only looking for 1 virgin to marry. the girls never talk to you or even try to learn about you, since they are convinced they are right. they hate you to the point that they will do anything to get you out of their church, after 5 years they come up with a plan, and tell the church you've been 'touching' them. you may have brushed up against them at gatherings, but never really leaned into them, not to mention never even touching them on their butt, crotch or chest! then being sat down by church staff and other assorted church members asking you to stop touching them.

or

while in 8th grade walking home from school and a classmate you've known since 3rd grade says you beat him up in front of his house the day before, when you haven't even been o his street in over a month! or while in high school some kid claiming to have proof you smoke when you don't (in both of these cases, it must have been ''fred'' in jr. high i was told i look alot like some guy named ''fred'', i still do not smoke, and i've never fought that other kid either)

as for church, i stopped going there, but those girls that lied about me will not go into heaven for the crap they pulled on me!

Answer 3

I think it means, that because the son convicted wasn't guilty, it meant everyone else came under suspicion, innocent and guilty.