And+then+there+were+none-+Chapter+Questions

C HAPTER 1, 2, & 3

1. Who is U.N. Owen? What do we learn about him in the novel’s opening pages?

U.N. Owen is the person that invited Miss Brent to the Island. He reminds her that they were "together at Bellhaven Guest House in August some years ago"

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

So far, the story takes place in the corner of a first-class smoking carriage, in a third-class carriage with five other travelers...", "In a non-smoking carriage...", Dr. Armstrong is driving his "Morris across Salisbury Plain.", Tony Marston is driving around in England complaining about everyones driving, and everyone else is on a train somewhere in Europe.

3. How and why is Indian Island so important to the narrative (Story)?

Indian Island the main things that brings these ten strangers together. All of these gentlemen and woman have been invited to go to this very mysterious Island. No one really knows for sure who has invited them or who is now the new owner of the island. Indian Island is important because it is the biggest mystery in the book so far that is keeping the audience reading.

4. Identify the ten guests who have been invited to Indian Island, giving their **__names and backgrounds__**. Anthony James Marston, a rich, spoiled, good-looking man with a well-proportioned body, crisp hair, tanned face and blue eyes known for his reckless driving. He was born to a wealthy family. Mr. Owen accused Anthony of running over and killing two children, for which Marston felt no remorse. Marston was the first of Owens’s victims, having died from poisoning by potassium cyanide slipped into his drink, while gathered in the drawing room with the others. Wargrave notes that Marston did not have the remorse and responsibility that other's had.

Mrs. Ethel Rogers, the cook and Mr. Rogers's wife. She is described as a pale-faced, ghostlike woman with shifty light eyes, who is scared easily. Despite her respectability and efficiency, she was obliged to help her domineering husband, Thomas, to kill their former elderly employer, Miss Jennifer Brady, by withholding her medicine, in order to inherit her money. She was Owens’s second victim, who died in her sleep, from an overdose of chloral hydrate which she did not self-administer.

General John Gordon MacArthur, a retired World War I hero, who sent his wife's lover, Arthur Richmond (also a soldier), to his death by assigning him to a "suicide" mission. Fatalistically accepts that no one will leave the island alive, which he confides in Vera; shortly thereafter, he became Owens’s third victim after having his head crushed in as he sat along the shore.

Mr. Thomas Rogers, the butler and Mrs. Rogers's husband. He and his weak-willed wife, whom he dominated, killed their former elderly employer by withholding her medicine, causing the elderly woman to die from heart failure, to inherit the money she had left them in her will. He was Owens’s fourth victim, having been struck in the head with an axe as he gathered firewood in the woodshed.

Emily Caroline Brent, a rigid, repressed elderly woman of harsh moralistic principles who uses the Bible to justify her inability to show compassion or understanding for others. She dismissed her maid, Beatrice Taylor, as punishment for becoming pregnant out of wedlock. As a result Beatrice, who had also been rejected by her own family, threw herself into a river and drowned. Miss Brent felt no guilt and considered that Beatrice's suicide was an even greater sin. She became Owens’s fifth victim after being injected with a dose of potassium cyanide into her neck as she sat alone at the dining table after Wargrave drugged her.

Justice Lawrence John Wargrave, a retired judge, well known for liberally handing out the death penalty and "the hanging judge." He is accused of murder due to his summation and jury directions of one accused murderer Edward Seton, although there were some doubts about his guilt at the time of the trial. He was thought to be the sixth victim of Owens’s in order to fulfill the Chancery verse, but was later revealed to have himself been the murderer, "Mr. Owen", faking his own death with the assistance of Armstrong in the drawing room. He did, however, shoot himself in the head in his bedroom after watching his final intended victim, Vera Claythorne hang herself.

Dr. Edward George Armstrong, a Harley Street surgeon, blamed for the death of Ms. Louisa Clees, a patient, while operating under the influence of alcohol. Armstrong became Owens’s apparent seventh victim after being pushed to his death into the sea. His body goes missing for a while, leading others to think he is the killer, but his corpse washes up at the end of the novel, leading to the climax.

William Henry Blore, a retired police inspector and now a private investigator, is accused of having an innocent man, James Landor, sentenced to lifetime imprisonment as a scapegoat after having been bribed. The man later died in prison. Blore became Owens’s perceived eighth victim, having his skull crushed by a bear-shaped clock, dropped from a window above outside the house.

Philip Lombard, a soldier of fortune. Literally down to his last square meal, he comes to the island with a loaded revolver. Though he is reputed to be a good man in a tight spot, Lombard is accused of causing the deaths of a native African tribe. It is said that he stole food from the tribe, thus causing their starvation and subsequent death. Though not an actual victim of Owens’s, Lombard fulfilled that of the ninth referenced verse of the rhyme, shot to death on the beach by Vera, who at the time believed him to be the murderer.

Vera Elizabeth Claythorne, a young teacher, secretary, and ex-governess, who takes mostly secretarial jobs since her last job as a governess ended in the death of her charge. She let young Cyril Hamilton swim out to sea and drown so that his uncle, Hugo Hamilton, could inherit his money and marry her; however, the plan backfired, as Hamilton abandoned her when he suspected what she had done. Of all the "guests" Vera is the one most tormented by latent guilt for her crime, yet is made to suffer the most, being the last survivor. She eventually meets her demise when she walks back to her room after shooting Lombard. There she finds a readied noose, complete with chair beneath it, suspended from her ceiling. Again, not technically a victim of Owen's, guilt ridden and delusional, Vera climbs the chair, adjusts the noose round her neck, and kicks the chair away, fulfilling the rhyme's final verse as the tenth victim.

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?)

Threatening?

- William Blore- Threatening, because he lied about his name and job, and said that Mr. Owen's told him to.

- Mr and Mrs Rogers- Threatening, because they work at the house and could possibly know Mr. Owen.

Justice Wargrave- Threatening, because he seems very curious, and wants to know everyones stories.

- Philip Lombard- Threatening, because he had took a loaded revolver to the island with him.

Harmless?

- Emily Brent- Harmless, because she is quite old and is very into religion.

- Anthony Marston- Harmless, because he seems kind of dumb, and wouldn't have the mind of killing anyone.

- Dr. Armstrong- Harmless, because he was a doctor and helped saved peoples lives, not kill them, and also he was trying to help Mrs. Rogers when she has fainted.

- General Macarthur- Harmless, because he is elderly and was a retired World War I hero, and tried to help his country out.

- Vera Claythorne- Harmless, because she is just a women who seems nice and is full of guilt.

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

The poem is about 10 little Indian boys that are foolish and die. The poem is foreshadowing what is going to happen to the ten guests.

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

The foolish nursery rhyme changes its meaning by being put in the story because it makes it more significant.

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 china figures represent the poem because they are ten little 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.)

In the poem there are TEN little indians that all die on by one. "Ten little indian boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were nine." basically the poem is for shadowing what is intentionally going to happen to the TEN guest on INDIAN Island.

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.

•Mr. Justice Wargrave- June 10th 1930 he murdered Edward Seton. •Vera Claythorne- •Philip Lombard- •Emily Brent- responsible for the death of Beatrice Taylor on November 5th 1931. •General Macarthur- •Dr. Armstrong- caused the death of Louisa Mary Clees on March 14th 1925. •Anthony Marston- •Mr. Blore- brought about the death of James Stephen Landor on October 10th 1928. •Thomas Rogers- May 6th 1929 he brought about the death of Jennifer Brady/ •Ethal Rogers

CHAPTERS 4 & 5

11. Who dies at the end of chapter 4?

Anthony Marstin dies from choking on his drink, so they think.

12. Look at the victim’s last words, and then explain the irony or black comedy of this particular murder, given these final comments.

He says "the legal life's narrowing! Im all for crime! Here's to it!", the black humor is that he proposes a toast to his happiness

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 knew this because he wants to stay to solve the mystery. He wants to be the hero and figure out who U.N. Owen is.

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

Emotionally torn and broken down.

CHAPTER 6 & 7

14. How does Mrs. Rogers meet her demise in chapter 6?

Basically they think that she died in her sleep out of vengeance but then other evidence says that she drank tea before bed but they dropped the conclusion that it was too coincidental for her and Anthony Marston to die in the same 12 hours. Maybe they were murdered.

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 suggests this because he thought that Mr.Rogers would want to do away with his wife so she wouldn't give away their secret about the murder. Mr. Blore doesn't know why Mr.Rogers would kill Anthony Marston, and that is the shortcoming.

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? They concluded that both deaths must have been murders because they both happened within 12 hours of each other. Also, they thought that the missing Indian china figures were too much of a coincidence, especially the indian poem. In the poem there are 10 little Indians, the first one dies from choking to death and the other dies from over sleeping.

How does this conclusion relate to the absence of Mr. Owen?

No one knows who Mr. Owen is but for some reason no boats have been going to the island and no one knows where the Indian figures have gone.

Why do Mr. Lombard and Dr. Armstrong then agree to enlist Mr.Blore in their search mission?

Because he would be useful to them if it was necessary to physically fight off whoever it is that they are looking for.

What and where do they plan to search?

They are going to search all over the island because it is rocky and small and would seem easy to find someones hiding place.

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."

If there is only the 8 people on the island that means that one of them must have killed those two people. But they all have been together when they were killed. This means that only one person will leave the island in the end.

18. What sort of threshold has been crossed, and how is the story different from this point on?

A mental threshold has been crossed. The story is different from this point because they know that everyone is a suspect until they die.

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?

Mr. Justice Wargrave. Yes it does because he is a judge and gathers people together in an orderly fashion for a living.

How do the other six characters react to this leader’s questions and conclusions?

They all try to find explanations for each others cases, and react with frustration.

How do they react to one another’s accusations? They think that they are hateful of each other. And that they are being judged on status, character and probability.

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 think Dr. Armstrong would be most likely to be guilty right now because he had access to drugs that could kill both Mr. Marston and Mrs. Rogers, and could supply a blow hard enough to kill General Macarthur.

CHAPTER 10 & 11

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 this passage shows that Miss Brent is going insane, and she is visiting her past murder, of Beatrice Taylor. It means, she is thinking that Beatrice Taylor is the murderer, and she is coming for Miss Brent. I also know that she is very spiritual towards God, and she thinks that everything has a meaning to it, so sinning will bring the dead back to aunt you.

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 only six figures meaning that someone died during the night.

23. How had Mr. Rogers been killed?

He was killed by being hit in the back of the head by an axe.

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?

It makes sense to me because they all want each other to believe that they aren't the killer, s they act on their best behaviour

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

CHAPTER 12 & 13

26. How is Miss Brent murdered, and why is Dr. Armstrong immediately suspected of committing this crime?

Dr. Armstrong is immediately suspected of committing the crime because, Miss Brent is killed by a syringe, that somebody filled a poison with.

27. What telltale item in the doctor’s possession turns up missing?

The syringe, that he said, would definitely be in his suitcase.

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

Lombard’s revolver, has disappeared.

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.

This behavior is reverting back to cave man like behavior, cave men were always on the look out for things that may have eaten them, or harmed them, which is happening to the people at that moment. Examples:

30. Is this similar to how you yourself would behave if placed in this horrific situation? Explain why or why not.

Yes I would have acted this way as well, you look bestial because after all the stress of seeing people dead and thinking that you may be the next, would defineitely have an impact on your sciallogy and your senses.

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?

When Mr. Justice Wargrave gets shot

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.”

Edward Seton would find this funny because it is ironic that the Judge sentenced many people to death, and then was murdered.

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 the characters in this way, and at this moment in the tale? The author starts to focus on the characters because they are the ones that lead to the other deaths later on in the story eg. Dr. Armstrong. I think that they are the ones that seem the least suspicious and they weren't that important before so now the author is focusing on them.

What do we learn from the private thoughts of these two characters? Mr. Blore is thinking about who has the revolver and Vera Claythorne is thinking about about how she had planned to kill Cyril.

How do their ideas and impressions in chapter 14 advance the story? When Mr. Blore hears noises and then go out and checks. That leads to the search for Dr. Armstrong and his disappearance. Vera Claythorne's thoughts about Cyril leads to her guilt when she hangs herself.

34. What happens to Dr. Armstrong? How and when does he disappear? Dr. Armstrong disappears. They think that he was hiding on the island when he was pushed into the water. He disappeared after everyone went upstairs to go to sleep and then Mr. Blore hears noises.

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 found hit in the head with a white piece of heavy marble, that was shaped like a bear, and dropped onto his head from another level of the house. They think that Dr. Armstrong is Blore's killer, because the night before he had said that he heard someone outside of his room and then went outside, so it was like a trap. Also, they think that Dr. Armstrong faked his own death/disappearance, to make the others think that he was not the killer. Also, Vera remembers that the poem said that one of the indian boys was eaten by a red herring, which means when someone puts something like a clue, to confuse the other people, so she thinks that Dr. Armstrong was trying to confuse them.

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? Neither of

Use quotes from the novel to support your answer.

37. Who kills Philip Lombard? Vera Claythorne.

38. Who, ultimately, is responsible for the death of Vera Claythorne?

Herself, because she is consumed with guilt, but SHE thinks it was Hugo, her original lover, because she killed Cyril and he left her, then he came back for her.

EPILOGUE

39. Look again at the book’s Epilogue. Who are the detectives in charge of solving these crimes?

Inspector Maine and Sir Thomas Legge.

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.

The detectives are able to determine how everyone is murdered, but are unable to determine who did it because none of the deaths looked like suicides. 40. Who is the murderer? How is his or her identity revealed? Justice Wargrave. His identity is revealed when a confession he wrote was found.

41. Who is the mysterious Mr. Owen? A fictional character created by Wargrave.

42. Were you satisfied with the novel’s conclusion? And were you surprised by it? Only a little bit. Wargrave seemed like the most likely person to be the murderer.

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, because it addressed all the killings, and the methods in which they happened.

Define the term “red herring”. A distraction designed to throw people off the course of the truth.

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 fake murder of Wargrave is the main red herring, and the seaweed in Vera Claythorne's room is a smaller red herring.