Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the setting of the story?
What is the setting of the story?
What type of narrator is used in the story?
What type of narrator is used in the story?
Third person omniscient
What is the point of view in the story?
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?
What central conflict drives the story?
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Who is Justice Wargrave?
Who is Justice Wargrave?
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What rumors surround Indian Island?
What rumors surround Indian Island?
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What does Wargrave read on the train?
What does Wargrave read on the train?
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What does Wargrave reflect about Constance?
What does Wargrave reflect about Constance?
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Where does Wargrave take the letter from?
Where does Wargrave take the letter from?
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Who is on the same train as Justice Wargrave?
Who is on the same train as Justice Wargrave?
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Why is Vera Claythorne going to Indian Island?
Why is Vera Claythorne going to Indian Island?
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How does Vera feel about getting the job?
How does Vera feel about getting the job?
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Who is the man that Vera loved?
Who is the man that Vera loved?
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What does Vera think of on the train?
What does Vera think of on the train?
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Who does Vera glance over at in the train?
Who does Vera glance over at in the train?
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What does Philip Lombard think of Vera?
What does Philip Lombard think of Vera?
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What is Philip Lombard's reputation?
What is Philip Lombard's reputation?
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What does Emily Brent disapprove of?
What does Emily Brent disapprove of?
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Describe Emily Brent.
Describe Emily Brent.
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Does Emily Brent accept the invitation?
Does Emily Brent accept the invitation?
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Why has General Macarthur been invited to Indian Island?
Why has General Macarthur been invited to Indian Island?
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How does General Macarthur feel about the invitation?
How does General Macarthur feel about the invitation?
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Why has Dr. Armstrong been asked to report to Indian Island?
Why has Dr. Armstrong been asked to report to Indian Island?
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Describe Dr. Armstrong.
Describe Dr. Armstrong.
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Who is driving the sports car that passes Dr.Armstrong?
Who is driving the sports car that passes Dr.Armstrong?
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Describe Mr. Blore.
Describe Mr. Blore.
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What does the old man tell Mr. Blore on the train?
What does the old man tell Mr. Blore on the train?
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What does Mr. Blore think of the old man on the train?
What does Mr. Blore think of the old man on the train?
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Which characters believe they are going to Indian Island to visit old friends?
Which characters believe they are going to Indian Island to visit old friends?
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What is sitting in the center of the table?
What is sitting in the center of the table?
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What do the guests associate the ten china figures with?
What do the guests associate the ten china figures with?
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What happens when the group moves into the drawing room?
What happens when the group moves into the drawing room?
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Who faints after the recording is played?
Who faints after the recording is played?
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What is the title of the record that is played for the guests their first night on Indian Island?
What is the title of the record that is played for the guests their first night on Indian Island?
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Who examines Tony Marston's drink?
Who examines Tony Marston's drink?
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Why do the guests assume Marston committed suicide?
Why do the guests assume Marston committed suicide?
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Who chokes on a glass of poisoned whiskey?
Who chokes on a glass of poisoned whiskey?
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What does Macarthur discover while awake in bed?
What does Macarthur discover while awake in bed?
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How does Macarthur realize he does not want to leave the island?
How does Macarthur realize he does not want to leave the island?
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What does Vera remember while in bed?
What does Vera remember while in bed?
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What was Armstrong's nightmare about?
What was Armstrong's nightmare about?
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Who wakes Armstrong up from his nightmare?
Who wakes Armstrong up from his nightmare?
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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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Description
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.