And Then There Were None Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  And Then There Were None, written by Agatha Christie is a thrilling tale of ten people invited to a remote island by an unseen figure who never appears throughout the story. All those who were invited have pasts that they are hiding and many things to fear. The guests are cast upon Indian Island, an island off the coast of England around the 1930s. Strangers to each other, slowly they reveal their shameful pasts. Coincidently, the name which they were invited by, Mr. U. N. Owen sounds similar to that of the word â€Å"unknown.† Among the characters is a Mr. Wargrave, a recently retired judge, who is intelligent, cold, and commanding. He takes leadership on the island after the killings begin. Wargrave is the first to insist publicly that they are dealing with a homicidal maniac, and the first to acknowledge that the killer must be part of their group. Vera Claythorne is witty and believes she was hired as a secretary to Mrs. Owen. Philip Lombard, a mysteri ous man, served as a soldier in Africa and often carries a gun with him. Among the other characters are William Blore, an ex-detective, and Dr. Armstrong who thinks he has been hired to look after the wife of the island’s owner. Emily Brent, General Macarthur, Tony Marston think they have been invited for a visit with old friends. And Then There Were None examines justice, but it bends the manifestation by making the victims of murder, people who committed murder themselves. It expresses the theme of what the burden of one’s own guilty conscience can lead that person to perform.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Upon arriving on the island, they are greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers who were hired as the butler and housekeeper. That evening after dinner they hear a recorded voice accusing each of them of a specific murder committed in the past and never uncovered. Talking about the accusations, they realize none of them actually have ever met or know â€Å"Mr. U.N. Owen.† As they ponder this mysterious matter, Tony Marston chokes on poisoned whiskey and dies. Vera Claythorne observes similarities between the death of Marston and the first verse of a nursery rhyme, â€Å"Ten Little Indians,† that hangs in each bedroom. The next morning the guests find that Mrs. Rogers apparently died in her sleep. The guests hope to leave that morning, but the boat that regularly delivers supplies to the island do... ...gives the book a wonderful plot and ending. The book addresses the idea that only the dead are above suspicion. A baffling mystery, And Then There Were None can be enjoyed by even the most immature [of people]. â€Å"Ten Little Indians† Ten little Indian boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were nine. Nine little Indian boys sat up very late; One overslept himself and then there were eight. Eight little Indian boys traveling in Devon; One said he'd stay there and then there were seven. Seven little Indian boys chopping up sticks; One chopped himself in halves and then there were six Six little Indian boys playing with a hive; A bumblebee stung one and then there were five. Five little Indian boys going in for law; One got in Chancery and then there were four. Four little Indian boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one and then there were three. Three little Indian boys walking in the zoo; A big bear hugged one of them and then there were two. Two little Indian boys sitting in the sun; One got frizzled up and then there was one. One little Indian boy left all alone; He went and hanged himself... And then there were none