And Then There Were None

Do you empathize with any of Justice Wargrave’s victims? If so, with whom do you empathize and why?

There are several symbols in And Then There Were None, including the soldier figurines, the mark of Cain, the storm, and the characters’ likeness to specific animals. Choose one of the symbols from the novel and analyze its development over the course of the novel.

Describe the role that the “Ten Little Soldiers” nursery rhyme plays in the novel. Why does Justice Wargrave choose to model his murders after this nursery rhyme? What effect does the nursery rhyme have on the characters?

Justice Wargrave writes in his confession that he chose the order of deaths based on those who bore the least responsibility for their crimes to those who bore the most responsibility for their crimes. Do you agree with the order in which Justice Wargrave chose to murder his victims? Why or why not? Do you agree that Vera deserved to die last? Why or why not?

Do you believe that Justice Wargrave’s acts are just? Why or why not?

What clues did Christie leave throughout the course of the novel that foreshadowed that Justice Wargrave was the murderer all along? What clues did she leave that were meant to be red herrings instead?

Why do you think Christie withheld the identity of the killer until the epilogue of the novel? Did you find this decision to be effective? Why or why not?

Discuss the role that guilt plays in the novel. Which character(s) do you think feel the guiltiest for his or her actions? Which character(s) do you think feel the least guilty for his or her actions?