And+Then+There+Were+None+Chapter+Questions

CHAPTER 1, 2, & 3

1. Who is U.N. Owen? What do we learn about him in the novel’s opening pages? Mr. Owen was a guy who was said to have bought Indian Island in the newspaper and he sent invitation to people to 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 story takes place in a train carriage going to a place called "Indian Island." The train was going through Somerset. It was a very hot day.

3. How and why is Indian Island so important to the narrative (Story)? People are being sent to this island by random people and there are rumours saying who actually bought the island.

4. Identify the ten guests who have been invited to Indian Island, giving their **__names and backgrounds__**. •Mr. Justice Wargrave is a retired judge •Vera Claythorne is a secretary for a girls' middle school and she hopes she can work in a higher class school. •Philip Lombard is a captain who had legality issues in the past •Miss. Emily Brent is an old fashion fashion old lady who is really religious •General Macarthur is a general who has done something bad •Dr. Armstrong is a doctor who did something in the past that might've ruined his job. •Tony Marston is a man who lots of friends and money •Mr. Blore runs a detective agency in Plymouth. •Mr. Rogers is a butler hired by Mr. Owens •Mrs. Rogers is 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?) Philip Lombard seemed sinister because he lied about how he was invited to Indian island and he had a gun on himself.

Threatening? Mr. Blore, because he was under false identity. General Macarthur, because he was just invited to talk about his old cronies about the old times. Dr. Armstrong, because it says that he has done something in the past that might've ruined his career. Mr. Rogers because he was hired by Mr. Owens to put up that gramophone.

Harmless? Emily Brent, because she is just an old fashion old lady who is religious. Vera Claythore, because she just wanted a vacation job. Anthony Marston, because he was invited by a friend to go to Indian Island.

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 Vera Claythorne finds is a nursery rhyme.

7. How are the poem’s meaning and imagery changed by its context in this novel? The poem says that 10 indian people are in Devon and the 10 people on Indian Island are 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 little indians and there are 10 small china figures in the dinner scene.

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.) 10 little Indian boys die one by one. The ten people on the island die one by one like the poem.

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 each guest of: 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 Marston dies at the end of the chapter.

12. Look at the victim’s last words, and then explain the irony or black comedy of this particular murder, given these final comments. At the end of the story Anthony Marston makes a toast to the start of this crime investigation, but he drinks his drink too fast that he choked and died.

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. General Macarthur didn't want to leave the island because he didn't want to go back home to where all his troubles and worries.

What is the general going through? Describe his state of mind – what it is, and what it might be. The General is going through guilt. He felt guilty of murdering Arthur Richmond. He kept on seeing his face. Although, he didn't feel sorry. He was guilty of the death of his Wife, Leslie.

CHAPTER 6 & 7

14. How does Mrs. Rogers meet her demise in chapter 6? Mrs. Rogers dies from either killing herself or she was poisoned.

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 suspected that Mr. Rogers killed her wife because he didn't want Mrs. Rogers to blurt anything out. He didn't want to give the show away.

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 thought that Mr. Owen didn't send out the motor boat to them so they couldn't survive. They thought that Mr. Owen was the one who murdered them and set everything up. They think that Mr. Owen's job is to kill everyone on the island.

How does this conclusion relate to the absence of Mr. Owen? Mr. Owen doesn't want to be found so they won't interrupt his plans or figure out what he is up to.

Why do Mr. Lombard and Dr. Armstrong then agree to enlist Mr. Blore in their search mission? They agree to put Mr. Blore on the search team because he used to be a police man. He would come to good use.

What and where do they plan to search? They are trying to search for U.N Owen and they plan to search the island.

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." It means that one of the eight people could be the murderer because when they searched the island, the didn't find anybody else.

18. What sort of threshold has been crossed, and how is the story different from this point on? They first thought that U.N.Owen was the one killing each other but now they think that someone in the island or the 7 people was one of the murderers.

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 the parlor-room in inquest is Mr. Justice Wargrave and the appointment seems fitting because it is about who is the murderer.

How do the other six characters react to this leader’s questions and conclusions? They react like they want to tell everyone that they are not the murderer and they didn't do anything wrong and they think the leader is wrong.

How do they react to one another’s accusations? They react like they seem to be lying or think that they are not telling them something.

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? In my view, Mr. Rogers seemed to be guilty and Mr. Justice Wargrave seemed to be the most innocent.

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 Miss. Brent felt guilty that she killed Beatrice Taylor. She is scared of being killed and thinks that Beatrice Taylor wants revenge on her and is now coming to murder her.

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 6 china figures left and the number tells us that someone has died.

23. How has Mr. Rogers been killed? Someone had struck Mr. Rogers with an axe to the back of his head while he was bent down chopping sticks.

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. I know that the six people are afraid and wondering who is the killer and whats gonna happen next. Everyone are having thoughts in their head wondering who's the murderer and whats gonna happen next and whats gone missing.

25. Read the conclusion of chapter 11 and then comment on the thoughts and fears these characters are experiencing. They are scared that they are the one gonna be killed next and who is the murderer. They are trying to find out what the people are doing with the silk curtains and wool. Everyone is too scared to say anything because they might blurt out something that hints who is the murderer.

CHAPTER 12 & 13

26. How is Miss Brent murdered, and why is Dr. Armstrong immediately suspected of committing this crime? Miss Brent was murdered by someone injecting potassium cyanide on the side of her neck. Dr. Armstrong was suspected because he brought one syringe with him to the island.

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

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

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. The five people were trying to look after each other but paying close attention to everything thats happening and they look more like animals now. Mr. Wargrave just sat there like a tortoise, motionless. Mr. Blore looked clumsier and coarser and looked like a slow animal. Mr. Lombard reacted to the slightest sound. Miss Claythorne was every quiet looking terrified, staring into space.

30. Is this similar to how you yourself would behave if placed in this horrific situation? Explain why or why not. Yes, I would. I would be scared of dying and who this murderer is. I would want to know who the murderer is so I'll pay attention to everything that is happening. I would also be thinking in my head of who it could be and gather all the information, so I would be just sitting very still in my chair.

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? The reappear on Mr. Justice Wargrave when he dies. He is wrapped up with the scarlet curtain and he has this judge's wig on his head which is the gray wool.

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.” This outburst shocked everyone because that Mr. Lombard said that Justice Wargrave was the murderer. He wasn't surprised that Mr. Justice Wargrave died.

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 murdered by being crushed on the head and mangled by a great block of white marble. Miss Claythorne and Mr. Lombard suspected that Dr. Armstrong is Mr. Blore's killer because Dr. Armstrong's dead body was nowhere to be find and they thought that he was hiding on the island.

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 suspected that Miss Claythorne was the murderer. "She had moved a yard or two and was facing him, revolver in hand." She pick pocketed Philip Lombard so she could get the gun. That gave me a hint that she could be the murderer.

37. Who kills Philip Lombard? Vera Claythorne kills Philip Lombard with the revolver.

38. Who, ultimately, is responsible for the death of Vera Claythorne? Hugo and herself (guilt) is responsible got the death of Vera Claythorne.

EPILOGUE

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

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. They were able to come up with some answers. They were correct on the deaths on basically all the deaths of everyone. They knew that Marston had died from potassium cyanide, Mrs. Rogers got drugged, Mr. Rogers got hit on the head, Miss Brent got poisened too by cyanide, Armstrong was pushed or drowned, someone dropped the marble on top of Mr. Blore and set the whole thing up, and Miss Claythorne hung herself from guilt and the chair was put away neatly after she kicked it. They didn't know that the judge faked his death and he actually didn't get shot and Armstrong was in on the act.

40. Who is the murderer? How is his or her identity revealed? The murderer is Lawrence Wargrave, the judge. It was revealed in a letter that was put into a bottle and then sent out to sea. The manuscript was at the end of the book.

41. Who is the mysterious Mr. Owen? Mr. Owen's real name was Isaac Morris. He provisioned the island and made all the necessary arrangements. He was killed on the first day of the adventure by the judge.

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 sorta surprised and sorta not. I thought that the judge actually died and he actually got shot, but I suspected that he was the murderer. I thought that Vera Claythorne could've been 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 it did seem fitting and appropriate. It makes all sense now how he did all those murders. Everything fitted in perfectly. Something that didn't make sense was how the gun shot on the judges forehead look real.

Define the term “red herring”. Red herrings are things that throw off the reader. They are false clues and hints.

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 the revolver, the the chair, and the dead bodies (how they were placed). The red herrings are the judges wig and the red cloak on the judge, and the seaweed that scared Miss Brent.