And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
CHAPTER 1 [pp.1-16]
1. Why does Mr. Justice Wargrave believe that “Indian Island was news!”?
2. What is Mr. Justice Wargrave’s occupation? Why is he traveling to Indian Island? List two
adjectives which might be used to describe his character.
3. What is Vera Claythorne’s occupation? Why is she traveling to Indian Island?
4. One of the elements of a mystery novel is to make the characters seem suspicious in some way.
The reader learns that Vera is cleared of any wrong doing in Cyril’s death, by a Coroner’s Inquest. In
what ways does the following passage suggest to the reader that despite her legal innocence, Cyril’s
death is suspicious?
“A picture rose clearly before her mind. Cyril’s head, bobbing up and down,
swimming to
the rock. … Up and down–up and down. … And herself, swimming in easy practiced strokes after
him–cleaving her way through the water but
knowing, only too surely, that she wouldn’t be in time.
… The sea–its deep warm blue–morning spent lying out on the sands–Hugo–Hugo who had said he
loved her. …”
5. Why is Philip Lombard traveling to Indian Island? What does the metaphor, “…he’d
sailed pretty near the wind once or twice!” reveal about Lombard’s character?
6. Miss Brent cannot read the signature on her invitation to the island. Why does Miss Brent accept this
invitation, even though she is unsure of its origins?
7. How does Christie’s description of General Macarthur create suspicion in the minds of her readers?
8. Why does Dr. Armstrong accept the invitation to Indian Island? Find a passage in this
chapter that casts suspicion on the Doctor’s past.
9. Why is Tony Marston driving to the Island? List two adjectives which might be used to
sum up his character.
10. In what ways is Mr. Blore different from the other guests who are traveling to the Island?
11. A mystery story is a puzzle or a game for the reader. To qualify as a mystery, there must be clues
to help solve the crime imbedded in the story. These clues can lead a clever reader to the identity of
the criminal as well as cast suspicion on other characters. All of this suspicion adds suspense and
interest to the story. From the clues you have found so far, which of the characters do you think is the
most suspicious or the most likely to be involved in bringing all of these characters to Indian Island?
12. Another technique a mystery writer uses to create suspense is foreshadowing. Find two examples of
foreshadowing used to create suspense in the section describing Mr. Blore.
CHAPTER 2 [pp. 17-38]
1. The fun in reading a mystery is looking for clues. In the beginning of the story, clues are usually found
in the reactions of the characters to each other and to their surroundings. Find three passages in this
chapter that hint to the reader that there is something suspicious about the island.
2. What evidence is there that Anthony Marston may be going to die soon?
3. Briefly identify Fred Narracott. What is unusual about his relationship with Mr. Owen?
Why does he think there is only one “satisfactory passenger in the boat”?
4. Find a passage in this chapter which suggests to the reader that the guests may be stranded on the
island for a week.
5. List three adjectives Vera might use to describe Mrs. Rogers. Vera sits by the window of her room and
reflects, “Everything–somehow–was a little queer.” Other than Mrs. Rogers, what does Vera find “queer”?
6. Briefly describe the mantelpiece in Vera’s room. Why do you suppose the entire text of the poem is included
in the story?
7. What evidence is there that Vera may feel guilty for Cyril’s death?
8. One technique a mystery writer uses to create suspense is by using prophetic statements. These are
statements that on the surface seem to be simple observations, but may also be statements foreshadowing
events to come in the story. Find an example of one of these statements in the section describing how Dr.
Armstrong feels about the island.
9. What is Armstrong’s opinion of Wargrave?
10. How does Wargrave feel about Armstrong, Vera, and Mrs. Rogers?
11. Why do you suppose the section describing Anthony Marston’s reaction to the island is short?
12. Mr. Blore is watching the others. He notes that “Nobody had been exactly cordial to
him….Funny the way they all eyed each other–as though they knew….” What is it he
thinks the others know?
13. Find a passage in this chapter which suggests to the reader that Lombard cannot be
trusted.
14. In what way do the words Emily Brent reads in the Bible contribute to the suspenseful atmosphere Christie
is trying to create on the Island?
Chapter 3
1. What do you think the china Indian figures represent in the story?
2. What do all of the indictments have in common?
3. Who helps Mrs. Rogers when she faints? What does her reaction to the recording imply
about her guilt or innocence? Who discovers the gramophone?
4. Which guest discovers that it was Mr. Rogers who played the record on the gramophone?
Why does he play it? How does the title of the record heighten the suspense?
5. Why is it not surprising the Mr. Wargrave takes charge of the situation? What steps does
he take to determine the mystery concerning the gramophone and the identity of the
host?
6. What conclusion does Wargrave reach concerning their host’s name?
7. At the end of this chapter, Wargrave says, “Oh, yes, I have no doubt in my own mind that
we have been invited here by a madman—probably a dangerous homicidal lunatic.” What
kind of crime is most likely going to be committed? Which character(s) do you consider
most suspicious?
8. What evidence is there that Mr. Owen is playing a game or prank on his guests?
9. What do the differing invitations to the guests reveal to the reader about Mr. Owen?
Chapter 4
1. What evidence does Dr. Armstrong have that casts suspicion on Wargrave’s explanation of
the Seton case?
2. Which of the guests confesses to the crimes suggested by the recording? Who refuses to
talk about it?
3. How did Dr. Armstrong manage to get away with botching up an operation on an elderly
woman?
4. Which one of the guests wants to remain on the island to discover the identity of their
host? In what sense is his death ironic?
Chapter 5
1. Why do the guests conclude that Marston committed suicide? Why are some of the guests
uncomfortable with this conclusion?
2. Trace Mr. Rogers’ steps from the time Marston’s body is carried to his room until the end
of the chapter. What does the missing Indian figure suggest to the reader?
3. What is revealed about MacArthur’s and Wargrave’s guilt or innocence concerning the
crimes they were accused of on the gramophone recording?
4. Which of the guests does MacArthur think is innocent of the crime he/she was accused of
committing?
5. One of the themes is the power of guilt to disrupt the lives of the guilty. What evidence is
there that MacArthur feels guilty about his involvement in Richmond’s death?
6. What clue about Marston death does Vera discover in her room? Describe her feelings
about death and dying?
Chapter 6
1. Why is Dr. Armstrong a suspect in Mrs. Rogers’ death?
2. In what way does Dr. Armstrong’s guilt disrupt his life?
3. Why do you suppose that Dr. Armstrong waits until after breakfast to tell the others about
Mrs. Rogers’ death? What does this action reveal about his character?
4. One of the themes of this novel is that as people fight for their own survival, civilized
behavior begins to erode. Lombard’s decision to let the natives perish to save his own life
is an example of this idea. What indications are there in this chapter that normal social
customs are eroding?
5. Macarthur leaves the terrace to go down the slope to the sea. What do you think might happen to him,
if anything?
6. What does Mr. Rogers observe about the china Indian figures on the dining room table?
And Then There Were None
Chapter 7
1. Imagery is the use of words to evoke sensory impressions that are beyond the words
themselves. In what ways is the following passage an example of imagery? What does
it reveal to the reader about Emily Brent’s character?
“She turned her face to Vera. There was no self-reproach, no uneasiness in
those eyes. They were hard and self-righteous. Emily Brent sat on the summit
Indian Island, encased in her own armour of virtue.”
2. State a possible theme for this novel using the following passage from the
of
story.
Lombard said, “I mean – it explains Indian Island. There are crimes that cannot be brought home
to their perpetrators. Instance, the Rogerses’. Another instance, old
Wargrave, who committed his
murder strictly within the law.”
3. Why do Lombard, Armstrong, and Blore decide to search the house and
What is Mr. Justice Wargrave doing while they search?
the Island?
Chapter 8
1. Find two “clues” in this chapter that might add to the reader’s suspicions concerning
Lombard and Dr. Armstrong.
2. One technique of foreshadowing is to include prophetic statements in the story. What
prophetic statement does Macarthur make to Vera that
may be hinting at action to
come?
3. In what way does the fact that Mr. Rogers is an excellent butler cast
suspicion
on him as the murderer?
4. What does the last line in this chapter, “There was no one on the island
but their
eight selves,” suggest to the reader about the identity of the
murderer?
Chapter 9
1. What evidence is there in this chapter that the civilized group of men and women who
arrived on the island are beginning to lose the veneer of civilization?
2. Why does Lombard “come clean” about the nature of the invitation he received to
come to the
Island?
3. How is General Macarthur killed? Which of the guests has had the
opportunity to kill
him? Support your answer with events from the
story.
4. In what way does the conversation between Mr. Rogers and Vera suggest to the
reader that neither of them is the killer?
5. The search of the Island for Mr. Owen is fruitless. What conclusion does Mr. Justice
Wargrave make about this failure to locate Mr. Owen?
6. Throughout this novel Christie describes Mr. Justice Wargrave as being tortoise-like.
What qualities is she trying to give the judge with this
comparison?
7. Mr. Justice Wargrave said, “My point is that there can be no exceptions
allowed on
the score of character, position, or probability. What we
must now examine is the
possibility of eliminating one or more
persons on the facts.”
Do you agree or disagree with Wargrave’s assessment of the situation? State the reason
for your decision. Which of the guests are able to be eliminated as suspects by using
Wargrave’s standards?
8. In what way, using Wargrave’s own standards, is he a suspect for Macarthur’s
murder?
9. What two logical courses of action does Wargrave suggest to the others?
10. In a mystery, the reader must accept the behavior and motivations of the characters
even though they may be somewhat unbelievable. The literary term for this is the
“willing suspension of disbelief.” For example: Some critics find it “unbelievable” that
there is no boat, radio, or other form of communication on the island. Cite another
example when the reader must suspend disbelief in this story.
Chapter 10
1. Describe the relationship between Vera and Lombard at this point in the story.
2. Why does Lombard suspect that Wargrave is Owen?
3. Which of the guests does Vera suspect? Why?
4. Wargrave says to Dr. Armstrong, “As regards actual evidence, such as is necessary in court, I
admit that I have none. But it appears to me, reviewing the whole business, that one particular
person is sufficiently clearly indicated. Yes, I think
so.”
5. What evidence is there that Miss Brent feels guilty for Beatrice Taylor’s suicide?
6. What two everyday items are reported to be missing? Describe the precautions
Rogers
makes before going to bed to prevent any more “tricks.”
7. At this point in the story, which of the remaining guests exhibit guilt? In your opinion, do their
feelings of guilt make them more or less likely to be the murderer?
8. According to the nursery rhyme, how will the next victim die?
Chapter 11.
1. Vera is very upset when Rogers’ body is discovered. She says, “Do they keep bees on the island? Tell me
that. Where do we go for honey? Ha! Ha!” Why is Vera raving about bees?
2. Why does Blore suspect that one of the women is the murderer? How does Lombard insult Blore when he
voices his opinion that Blore is not the murderer?
3. What event might the following passage be foreshadowing?
Vera was thinking to herself. “Some people thought so little of death that they actually took their own
lives. Beatrice Taylor…Last night she had dreamed of
Beatrice – dreamt that she was outside
pressing her face against the window and moaning, asking to be let in. But Emily Bret hadn’t wanted
her in. Because, if she did, something terrible would happen…”
Chapter 12
1.After they discover Miss Brent’s body, even Lombard is on edge. What weapon does Justice Wargrave think
they still have to fight their unknown host?
2. What two steps does Wargrave want to take to ensure the safety of the five remaining guests?
3. Where does the group hide the drugs? What precautions does Wargrave make to keep the keys safe?
4. In what way will the next victim most likely be killed? Speculate on who might be the next victim and why?
Chapter 13
1. Find a passage in the story which describes one or more of the guests by comparing them to animals.
Which theme for this story do these descriptions support?
2. What plan do the five remaining people agree on to ensure their safety?
3. What evidence is there that the veneer of civilization is slipping further away?
4. Who do you think had the opportunity to put seaweed in Vera’s room and why?\
5. How is Wargrave killed? Does his murder follow the dictates of the nursery rhyme?
6. The next verse of the nursery rhyme is “Four little Indian boys went 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?