And Then There Were None Chapters 1-2 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the setting of the story?

1939, Indian Island (correct)

1939, England (correct)

1940, America

1941, Australia

What type of narrator is used in the story?

Third person omniscient

What is the point of view in the story?

Shifts back and forth between each of the ten characters

What central conflict drives the story?

An anonymous killer gathers a collection of strangers on Indian Island to murder them as punishment for their past crimes Signup and view all the answers

Who is Justice Wargrave?

A retired judge who is taking a train to the seaside town of Sticklehaven Signup and view all the answers

What rumors surround Indian Island?

An American millionaire purchased it only to sell it due to his wife being a bad sailor. Signup and view all the answers

What does Wargrave read on the train?

A letter signed by an old friend Constance Culmington inviting him to the island. Signup and view all the answers

What does Wargrave reflect about Constance?

That she is the kind of woman who would buy a place like Indian Island. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Wargrave take the letter from?

His pocket Signup and view all the answers

Who is on the same train as Justice Wargrave?

Vera Claythorne Signup and view all the answers

Why is Vera Claythorne going to Indian Island?

She has been hired to be a temporary secretary to Mrs. Una Nancy Owen. Signup and view all the answers

How does Vera feel about getting the job?

Lucky Signup and view all the answers

Who is the man that Vera loved?

Hugo Hamilton Signup and view all the answers

What does Vera think of on the train?

The sea and Hamilton Signup and view all the answers

Who does Vera glance over at in the train?

Philip Lombard Signup and view all the answers

What does Philip Lombard think of Vera?

He finds her attractive and capable-looking Signup and view all the answers

What is Philip Lombard's reputation?

A 'good man in a tight place' with a mysterious employer named Issac Morris. Signup and view all the answers

What does Emily Brent disapprove of?

Slouching Signup and view all the answers

Describe Emily Brent.

A conservative, religious woman who holds most of the world in contempt. Signup and view all the answers

Does Emily Brent accept the invitation?

Yes Signup and view all the answers

Why has General Macarthur been invited to Indian Island?

He was promised that some of his friends would be there to talk over old times. Signup and view all the answers

How does General Macarthur feel about the invitation?

Glad but he worries people avoid him because of a thirty-year-old rumor. Signup and view all the answers

Why has Dr. Armstrong been asked to report to Indian Island?

Because of his wife's condition. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Dr. Armstrong.

A wealthy and successful medical man reflecting on the luck that enabled his career. Signup and view all the answers

Who is driving the sports car that passes Dr.Armstrong?

Tony Marston Signup and view all the answers

Describe Mr. Blore.

A former detective and another guest who has a list of names of the other guests. Signup and view all the answers

What does the old man tell Mr. Blore on the train?

That a storm is coming and judgment day is near. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mr. Blore think of the old man on the train?

He thinks the old man is closer to death and judgment day than he is. Signup and view all the answers

Which characters believe they are going to Indian Island to visit old friends?

Emily Brent and General Macarthur Signup and view all the answers

What is sitting in the center of the table?

Ten china figures Signup and view all the answers

What do the guests associate the ten china figures with?

The rhyme that hangs framed in all of their rooms. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the group moves into the drawing room?

They hear a disembodied voice accusing each of them of murder. Signup and view all the answers

Who faints after the recording is played?

Mrs. Rogers Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of the record that is played for the guests their first night on Indian Island?

Swan Song Signup and view all the answers

Who examines Tony Marston's drink?

Armstrong Signup and view all the answers

Why do the guests assume Marston committed suicide?

Because he poured it himself but find it hard to believe he would take his own life. Signup and view all the answers

Who chokes on a glass of poisoned whiskey?

Tony Marston Signup and view all the answers

What does Macarthur discover while awake in bed?

During World War I, his wife was having an affair with Richmond, his officer. Signup and view all the answers

How does Macarthur realize he does not want to leave the island?

He listens to the sound of the sea and feels at peace. Signup and view all the answers

What does Vera remember while in bed?

Her time as Cyril's governess; she was in love with his cousin, Hugo. Signup and view all the answers

What was Armstrong's nightmare about?

Him standing at his operating table, realizing he must kill the patient. Signup and view all the answers

Who wakes Armstrong up from his nightmare?

His wife Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Setting

Occurs in 1939 on Indian Island, off the coast of England.

Narrative Perspective

Utilizes a third-person omniscient narrator.
The point of view alternates between the ten main characters.

Central Conflict

An anonymous killer invites strangers to Indian Island for retribution due to their past crimes.

Major Characters

Justice Wargrave: A retired judge traveling to Sticklehaven to reach Indian Island.
Vera Claythorne: Applicant for a temporary secretary position for Mrs. Owen; has past trauma linked to a death.
Philip Lombard: Mysterious man hired for a well-paid job on the island, noted for his charm and reputation.
Emily Brent: Conservative woman invited by a past guesthouse acquaintance; disapproves of casual behavior.
General Macarthur: Anticipates meeting old friends; troubled by a thirty-year-old rumor regarding his past.
Dr. Armstrong: Successful doctor haunted by a previous drunken incident; approached to help at the island.

Invitations and Rumors

Indian Island was rumored to have had multiple owners and purposes, including military operations.
Guests each receive mysterious invitations, signed often by unknown or ambiguous parties like Constance Culmington or Mr. Owen.

Characters’ Personal Histories

Vera reflects on her past love, Hugo Hamilton, who she believes thinks ill of her.
Wargrave muses on Constance's characteristics that suit her buying Indian Island.
Lombard possesses a reputation as a capable individual in dangerous scenarios.

Arrival on Indian Island

Guests travel by train and taxi, ultimately ferried to the island by Fred Narracott.
Mr. and Mrs. Rogers serve as the butler and housekeeper with no prior acquaintance with Mr. Owen.
The guests discover ten china figures, a reference to the nursery rhyme "Ten Little Indians."

The Dinner and Accusations

After dinner, a recorded voice accuses each guest of murder, revealing past sins and prompting shock and fainting among guests.
Tensions escalate as guests confront the unearthly recording of their wrongdoings linked to the nursery rhyme.

Death on the Island

Tony Marston becomes the first victim, choking on poisoned whiskey after dismissing the accusation levied against him.
Guests dismiss his death as suicide despite disbelief due to his spirited nature.

Thematic Elements

The narrative hints at judgment and retribution, drawing from the characters' dark pasts and the ten little Indians rhyme.
Emotional reflections by characters like Macarthur and Vera highlight themes of guilt, love, and mortality.

Foreshadowing and Tension

The storm foreshadows the impending doom for the characters.
Initial feelings of unease are juxtaposed with the beautiful setting of the island, amplifying the horror that unfolds.

Reception of Events

Characters grapple with disbelief and speculation surrounding Mr. Owen's identity and intentions.
The real nature of their gathering slowly unravels, highlighting individual vulnerabilities and confrontations with their past actions.

Notable Objects and Symbols

The china figures represent the looming threat of demise, paralleling the nursery rhyme they reference.
Macarthur's recollections showcase the emotional burden of his war actions and the impact of his wife’s infidelity.

Conclusion of Initial Chapters

Suspense builds as the first crime occurs, catalyzing distinct character arcs and escalating paranoia among the guests.
Emergence of strong themes of isolation, accountability, and retribution sets the stage for further developments in the story.

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Test your knowledge of the first two chapters of 'And Then There Were None' with these flashcards. Dive into the essential terms such as setting, narrator, point of view, and conflict as they relate to this classic Agatha Christie novel.