and then there were none study guide Flashcards
What can be found above the mantelpiece in Vera Claythorne’s room?
The mantelpiece is bare except for a white marble clock shaped like a bear. Above the
clock is a poem about ten little soldier boys.
What do all of the guests have in common?
All ten people on the island are accused of murder.
How does the title of the record heard by the guests help to heighten the suspense?
The title of the record is “Swan Song,” which means a prelude to death. It suggests to
the reader that one or more of the guests are in danger of dying.
Marston is the first to die on the island. In what sense is his death ironic?
Anthony Marston wants to stay to solve the mystery because he enjoys “thrills.” Just
before he chokes, he proposes a toast to crime. He says, “I’m all for crime! Here’s to it.”
It is ironic that he is a crime victim right after honoring crime with a toast.
Why do the guests conclude Marston committed suicide?
Only Marston’s glass is contaminated with the poison. Marston poured his drink himself.
Since it seems impossible for anyone to have tampered with his glass, the guests conclude
that he must have committed suicide.
One of the themes in this story is the power of guilt to disrupt the lives of the guilty. In
what way does Dr. Armstrong’s guilt haunt his life?
Dr. Armstrong has nightmares about the botched operation.
What evidence is there in this chapter that the civilized group of men and women who
arrived on the island is beginning to lose its civilized behavior?
The guests are beginning to accuse each other of crimes.
The search of the island for Mr. Owen is fruitless. What conclusion does Mr. Justice
Wargrave make about this failure to locate Mr. Owen?
Since there is nowhere on the island for Owen to hide, Owen must be one of the
remaining seven guests.
Throughout this novel Christie describes Mr. Justice Wargrave as being tortoise-like.
What qualities is she trying to give the judge with this comparison?
Like a turtle he is slow moving. A turtle pulls its head into its shell for protection. The
judge is an intelligent man who uses his intellect to logically analyze events in his life and
is capable of assessing a situation in such a way as to protect himself from any harm or
blame. A turtle is a reptile and is cold-blooded. The judge cold-bloodedly manipulates the
jury so Seton is convicted and sentenced to death.
How does Emily Brent die according to the poem?
The line reads, “Six little soldier boys playing with a hive; A bumblebee stung one and
then there were five.” Ultimately, Ms. Brent is injected in a neck with a hypodermic
needle. As in the case of the other deaths, this is simply an interpretation of the poem
by the killer.
What two steps does Wargrave want to take to ensure the safety of the five remaining
guests?
Wargrave wants to collect all of the weapons, including the drugs, and lock them away in a
safe place. Then, he wants each person to submit to a search of his or her person and
personal effects.
A critical verse of the nursery rhyme in the story turns out to be: “Four little soldier
boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.” In what
sense can the words “red herring” have a double meaning?
A red herring is a term used for a smoked fish. It is also an expression describing
something that is used to divert attention from the basic issue. It is a ruse used to
confuse and misdirect.
Why does Blore nearly run out of the house alone? What does he do instead?
Blore hears footsteps. When he opens his door to investigate, he glimpses a figure leaving
through the front door. Blore is tempted to run after the figure, but catches himself in
time. He thinks it may be a trap. Blore checks the other rooms to see which one is empty.
This way he believes he can establish the identity of the figure leaving the house. Blore
discovers that Dr. Armstrong is not in his room, but Lombard and Vera are present in
their rooms.
Why does Armstrong help Wargrave pretend to be murdered?
Wargrave convinces Armstrong that if he were thought to be dead, he would be able to
move around the house freely and perhaps discover the identity of the murderer.
For what reasons does Wargrave decide to commit the murders?
Wargrave has secretly always wanted to commit a murder, but he was held back by his
sense of justice. He did not want to see an innocent person suffer and die. He succumbs
to his desire to commit murder when a doctor tells him he is dying. Wargrave decides to
kill people who are themselves unpunished murderers. This way he satisfies his desire to
kill and fulfills his need to be sure justice is served.
