And+Then+There+Were+None

CHAPTER 1, 2, & 3

1. Who is U.N. Owen? What do we learn about him in the novel’s opening pages? He is someone who has invited people to an island he has recently bought, the Indian Island.

2. Where does the story take place? Describe the primary setting of And Then There Were None with **__as much detail as possible.__**

The primary setting of this story is Indian Island. It is a small island off the coast of Devon which a millionaire bought and constructed a house for him to live. He had to sell the island because of his third wife being a bad sailor. The house on the island is facing south, the south side of the island is shelved gently down to sea.

3. How and why is Indian Island so important to the narrative (Story)? It is important to the story because all the characters are heading there because of some mysterious person inviting them to stay. It is also a place that has many rumors flying around it about who actually bought the island.

4. Identify the ten guests who have been invited to Indian Island, giving their **__names and backgrounds__**. • Vera Claythorne is a secretary for a middle class girls' school. She hopes that she can work in a higher class school. • William Henry Blore who runs a detective agency in Plymouth. • Mr. Justice Wargrave a retired judge who has known alot of people. • Phillip Lombard a sailor who is a Captain had legality issues in the past. • Emily Brent, an old lady who does things the ol' fashion way. • General Macarthur a general who has done something bad enough for someone to turn him in. • Dr. Armstrong a doctor who did something in the past that could of ruined his career. • Anthony Marston a sucessful man who has alot of friends and money. • Mr. Rogers, a manservant hired by Mr. Owens • Mrs. Rogers, a maid hired by Mr. Owens

5. Did any of these individuals – when you first encountered them in the introductory Cast of Characters, or in the following pages – strike you as especially sinister? (If so, which one and why?)

Phillip Lombard seems to be especially sinister because it seems he was ordered to do a job for a lot of money. Then later in the story he was forced to lie about why and how he was invited to Indian Island.

Threatening? Mr. Blore seems to be threatening because he was supposed to be under a false identity and he had a list of people attending the house party on Indian Island. General Macarthur seems to be a bit threatening because he was invited to the island to talk with his old cronies about the old times. Dr. Armstrong also seems to be slightly threatening because it says in the book that he has done something in the past that could of totally ruin his career.

Harmless? Emily Brent seems to be harmless because she is just an old lady who has an old fashioned lifestyle. Vera Claythore seems to be harmless because it seems she just wanted a vacation job and she was hired by the Owens to be their secretary, Mr. Justice Wargrave seems to be harmless because he was just invited the island to talk about the old days. Anthony Marston also seems to be harmless because it he was invited to the island because one of his friends told him to go.

6. Describe the poem Vera Claythorne finds on display above the mantel in her bedroom (in ch 2). What kind of poem is it?

In Vera Claythorne's room there is a poem about 10 Indians that die 1 at a time until there were none. The poem is a nursery rhyme.

7. How are the poem’s meaning and imagery changed by its context in this novel?

Instead of 10 Indians in Devon. There are 10 people who go to Indian Island off the coast of Devon.

8. How does the poem relate to the centerpiece of small china figures that first appears in the subsequent dinner scene (in Ch.3)? The poem is about 10 Indians and the small china figures in the dinner scene are 10 Indian figures.

9. How does this poem relate to the larger plot or structure of the novel? (You may need to come back to this question after reading the rest of the novel.)

Well there were 10 Indians in the poem and they all died 1 at a time. Everyone died the same way as the ten indians in the poem had met their death.

10. In chapter 3, the ten guests are gathered for their after-dinner coffee when suddenly an “inhuman, penetrating” voice begins to speak to them, one which has been prerecorded on a phonograph record. What **exactly** does “The Voice” accuse **each** guest of doing? Be specific.

"The Voice" accused: Edward George Armstrong of causing the death of Lousia Mary Clees on March 14, 1925, Emily Caroline Brent was responsible for the death of Beatrice Taylor on November 5 1931, Willian Henry Blore who brought the death of James Stephen Landor on October 10th, 1928, Vera Elizabeth Claythorne, who killed Cyril Ogilvie Hamilton on August 11th 1925, Philip Lombard who was guilty of the death of twenty-one men who were members of an East African Tribe sometime in February, 1932, John Gordan Macarthur who sent his wife's lover, Arthur Richmond to his death, on January 4, 1917, Anthony James Marston, who is guilty of the murder of John and Lucy Combes last 14th of November, Thomas Rogers and Ethel Rogers, killed Jennifer Brady on the 6th of May 1930, Lawrence John Wargrave who was guilty of the murder of Edward Seton on June 10th 1930.

CHAPTERS 4 & 5

11. Who dies at the end of chapter 4? Anthony Martston died at the end of chapter 4.

12. Look at the victim’s last words, and then explain the irony or black comedy of this particular murder, given these final comments. The irony is that Anthony Marston made a toast to the start of his new life in crime, but then he died right after he finished his drink.

13. In part 5 of chapter 5, we learn the following about General Macarthur: “He knew, suddenly, that he didn’t want to leave this island.” Why do you think he knows this? Provide as many reasons as you can.

He didn't want to go back home because he'll remember what he has done in the past which will trouble and worry him. He'll remember his wife cheating on him with a man under his command. He'll remember him sending that man straight to his own death. He'll remember the possibility of his commanding officer telling everyone of what he has done. He'll be paranoid again about his neighbours talking about him with their backs turned about what he had done to Arthur Richmond.

What is the general going through? Describe his state of mind – what it is, and what it might be.

General Macarthur is going slightly insane. He is paranoid of going back to Devon because of remembering what he has done and what people talk about him when his back is turned.

CHAPTER 6 & 7

14. How does Mrs. Rogers meet her demise in chapter 6? She either commited suicide or was murdered by a drug.

15. Why does Mr. Blore immediately suspect that Mrs. Rogers was killed by her husband, the butler? Explain Mr. Blore’s accusation, pointing out its strengths and shortcomings. Mr. Blore thinks that Mr. Rogers killed his wife because when the voice accused them of killing an old lady Mr. Rogers was extremely scared that his wife would spill the beans. For example, while he was trying to bring his wife back to her senses he was trying to calm her down so she wouldn't spill the beans. Mr. Rogers was scared enough to kill his own wife to save his neck but he isn't the type that would kill his wife to save his life either.

16. In part 3 of chapter 7, Mr. Lombard and Dr. Armstrong discuss the two deaths that have occurred thus far. Why do they conclude that both deaths must have been acts of murder? The conclude that both of the deaths were an act of murder because Anthony Marston wasn't the type that would commit suicide and it was possible that Mrs. Rogers died from something.

How does this conclusion relate to the absence of Mr. Owen? It probably means that Mr. Owen is on the island and is secretly trying to kill everyone.

Why do Mr. Lombard and Dr. Armstrong then agree to enlist Mr. Blore in their search mission? They agreed that Mr. Blore should be in their search team because he use to be a policeman/inspector.

What and where do they plan to search? They plan to find Mr. Owen by searching the whole island and the house.

CHAPTER 8 & 9

17. Reread the last sentence of chapter 8. Identify the possible as well as the inevitable implications of this last sentence – for the plot of this novel and the fate of its characters. "There was no one on the island but their eight selves."

The last sentence means that one of the eight people left is the murderer. It also means that there will be a little bit friction between everyone. Only one person will live.

18. What sort of threshold has been crossed, and how is the story different from this point on? The story is a lot different now because the one of seven people that are still on the island is the murderer. Now they have to figure out who is the murderer instead of looking for the murder.

19. After the murdered body of General Macarthur is discovered, the seven remaining characters participate in an informal yet serious court session to “establish the facts” of what has transpired since their arrival at Indian Island. Who is the leader of this parlor-room inquest? Does this appointment seem fitting? Why or why not?

The leader of this parlor-room inquest is Justice Wargrave. Yes, it does because Justice Wargrave needed to point out that since that there was no one on the island except them, so he wanted to warn them that one of the them is the murderer.

How do the other six characters react to this leader’s questions and conclusions? The other six characters said it was a crazy idea, yet it did make sense. After the little meeting they suddenly became more aware of each other and tried to single out who the murderer was.

How do they react to one another’s accusations? They try to deny that they are the murderer.

20. In your view, who seemed most likely to be guilty at this point in the narrative, and who seemed most likely to be innocent? I'd say that Justice Wargrave is most likely to be guilty cause he is the one who always takes control of the situation whenever a murder has happened. I'd say that Vera Claythorne is most likely to be innocent because she is more scared of the murdered than being a murderer.

CHAPTER 10 & 11

21. In part 4 of chapter 10 we encounter Miss Emily Brent at work on her diary. She seems to be nodding off while sitting at the window and writing in her notebook. “The pencil straggled drunkenly in her fingers,” we read. “In shaking loose capitals she wrote: THE MURDERER’S NAME IS BEATRICE TAYLOR... Her eyes closed. Suddenly, with a start, she awoke.”

What do you make of this passage? What does it mean? Why would Miss Brent jot down such a statement? Think about what you have learned about Miss Brent’s background, mentality, spiritual outlook, and idea of right and wrong when answering these questions.

I think that the passage is trying to tell us that Emily Brent is somewhat crazy. She jotted down the statement because she remembered how she forced Beatrice Taylor to commit suicide and now she thinks that she has came back as the devil and has possessed someone to kill everyone.

22. As chapter 11 begins, what is different about the arrangement of the china figure Indians in the dining room? How many are now in the table’s centerpiece – and what does this number tell you? There are now six china figures on the dining table and it the number tells me that another person has died.

23. How has Mr. Rogers been killed? Mr. Rogers was killed by the chopped being brought down on the back of his head.

24. At the end of this chapter, everyone is having a hearty breakfast, being “very polite” as they address one another, and “behaving normally” in all other ways. Does this make sense to you? Explain why or why not. What else is going on? Yes, it does make sense to me because if someone who was innocent acted normal then no one would suspect them as the killer.

25. Read the conclusion of chapter 11 and then comment on the thoughts and fears these characters are experiencing.

Everyone is scared of dying and the murderer. They have wild thoughts going through their heads and are trying to keep calm while the thoughts are still going through their heads. Except one. Someone was thinking,"The damned fool, he believed every word I said to him. it was easy...I must be careful, very careful." That person is the murderer but we don't know who it is.

CHAPTER 12 & 13

26. How is Miss Brent murdered, and why is Dr. Armstrong immediately suspected of committing this crime? Miss Brent was killed by a lethal injection of potassium cyanide with a hypodermic syringe.Dr. Armstrong was immediately suspected for committing the crime because he is a doctor and doctors use hypodermic syringe.

27. What telltale item in the doctor’s possession turns up missing? The hypodermic syringe that was in the doctor's possession turns up missing.

28. What item originally in Mr. Lombard’s possession also disappears? My. Lombard's revolver also disappears.

29. Five people are still alive as chapter 13 begins. In the second paragraph, we read: “And all of them, suddenly, looked less like human beings. They were reverting to more bestial types.” Explain this behavior, and provide several example of it by referring to the text of the novel.

They were behaving like this because everyone is so scared of being the next victim so they try to be alert while trying to single out who is the killer. Mr. Justice Wargrave was all hunched up, his body motionless, Mr. Blore walk was like a slow padding of an animal and his eyes were bloodshot, Philip Lombard's senses have heightened he reacts to the slightest sound and his step was lighter and quicker. Vera Claythorne sat hunched up in a chair while staring out into space and Dr. Armstrong twitched and his arms shook. He lighted a cigarette after cigarette and stubbed them out immediately after they have been lit.

30. Is this similar to how you yourself would behave if placed in this horrific situation? Explain why or why not. Yes, I would because I would try to stay alive while trying to figure out who was the killer. So I would have to act a bit more differently.

31. Earlier in the narrative, both a ball of gray wool and a red shower curtain suddenly go missing. How and where do these items reappear? They reappear on Mr. Justice Wargrave. The red shower curtain was used as a cloak and the gray wool was used as a wig.

32. At the end of chapter 13, Mr. Lombard exclaims, “How Edward Seton would laugh if he were here! God, how he’d laugh!” Identify the implied, potential, and literal meanings of this “outburst [that] shocked and startled the others.”

What Mr. Lombard meant was that Mr. Justice Wargrave was called the hanging judge because he has sentenced many people to their deaths and now he is the one that is now dead in a judges' outfit.

CHAPTER 14- END

33. The narrative of And Then There Were None seems to become more detailed – and carefully descriptive and deliberately paced – as it draws to a close. In chapter 14, for instance, we encounter extended interior monologues involving Miss Claythorne and ex-Inspector Blore. Why do you suppose the author begins to focus on her characters in this way, and at this moment in the tale?

The author decided to focus on her characters' thoughts because now there is only four people left and they are trying to figure out who is the murder. The author focused on some of the characters to show that they are remorseful now and that they are not the killer but someone else is.

What do we learn from the private thoughts of these two characters? Mr. Blore is thinking about who will be the next one to die and where the revolver is now. When he goes back to his room he remembers Landor and thinks about how he had a wife and a kid. Vera Claythorne thinks about how she sent Cyril to his death and how she thought that Hugo would marry her after. Hugo didn't though and she is then trying to forget about it. Both of these people are starting to feel a bit more remorseful for causing the death of someone.

How do their ideas and impressions in chapter 14 advance the story? There ideas tell us that the killer is probably either Dr. Armstrong or Phillip Lombard.

34. What happens to Dr. Armstrong? How and when does he disappear? Dr. Armstrong disappears. He disappeared sometime after midnight and he vanished from the island.

35. How is Mr. Blore murdered, and why do Miss Claythorne and Mr. Lombard suspect that Dr. Armstrong is Mr. Blore’s killer? Mr. Blore was killed by a great big block of marble falling right on his head. Miss Claythorne and Mr. Lombard suspect that Dr. Armstrong is Mr. Blore's killer because he cannot not be found on the island so they both assume that he is in the house. Waiting for them to show up.

36. When you reached the point where Miss Claythorne and Mr. Lombard are the only two characters remaining, which one did you think was the murderer? Or did you suspect someone else? Use quotes from the novel to support your answer.

I thought that no one could of been the murderer because they were both equally confused about who was the murderer during the deaths of the other people. I suspected someone else but he is dead now. I thought Justice Wargrave was the murderer because he was very calm during the gramophone speech. He also always tried to help people understand the situation and so doing so makes everyone suspect someone else other than him. Then after the death of General Macarther he told everyone that one of them is actually the murderer which makes everyone suspect someone other than him even more.

37. Who kills Philip Lombard? Vera Claythorne kills Philip Lombard by shooting him in the heart.

38. Who, ultimately, is responsible for the death of Vera Claythorne? Vera Claythorne was responsible for her death because her guilt had finally caught up with her and so she hanged herself.

EPILOGUE

39. Look again at the book’s Epilogue. Who are the detectives in charge of solving these crimes? Sir Thomas Legge and Inspector Maine are in charge of solving these crimes.

Are they able to come up with any answers? Evaluate their success, identifying the points on which they are correct and those on which they are incorrect in their reconstruction of the events on Indian Island. Yes, they are able to come up with answers which most of them are correct. They were able to identify how everyone was killed. Anthony Marston - Cyanide poisoning Mrs/ Rogers, overdose of chloral General Wargrave - Fractured skull Mr. Rogers - Cracked skull Miss Brent - Cyanide poisoning Lawrence Wargrave - Shot in the head Dr. Armstrong - Drowned Mr. Blore - Crushed skull Phillip Lombard - Shot in the heart Vera Claythorne - Hanged The only thing they couldn't reconstruct was who the killer was.

40. Who is the murderer? How is his or her identity revealed? The murderer is Lawrence Wargrave. His identity was revealed in a letter written in a letter that was placed in a bottle.

41. Who is the mysterious Mr. Owen? The mysterious Mr. Owen is Lawrence Wargrave.

42. Were you satisfied with the novel’s conclusion? And were you surprised by it? Yes, I was satisfied with the novel's conclusion I was surprised by the it because of how Lawrence Wargrave explained how he killed everyone.

43. Did you, as a reader and an armchair detective, find the ending fully credible and plausible? Did the murderer’s “confession” seem fitting and appropriate to you? Explain your answers. Yes, the ending seems a bit too crazy for me. Justice Wargrave's confession seems fitting and appropriate because the mystery about who the killer was is almost impossible to figure out without anyone's help. The whole business about the murder was crazy because of how many people he has killed and how he did it. No one could possible have guess it was him.

Define the term “red herring”. A red herring is a false clue given by the author to mislead the reader.

 44. And T﻿hen There Were None is generally seen as one of the  best mystery novels ever published. What are the clues in this mystery? What are the red herrings? The clues in this mystery are that Edward Seton was actually guilty which means that. Lawrence Wargrave wasn’t a murderer but would make him the killer behind this mystery and Dr. Armstrong was swallowed by a red herring which means that he was misled by Lawrence Wargrave’s motives and was killed shortly after Justice Wargrave’s faked death. A red herring in the story is when Dr. Armstrong went out in the middle of the night by himself. It made everyone think that he was the killer. When Mrs. Rogers has died Miss Brent said her death was an act of god. This comment could of made people believe that she was the killer. The death of Lawrence Wargrave was also a red herring because he wasn’t actually dead. If the readers of the book knew that he wasn’t dead then they would of knew that he was the killer.

Andy Yang