Understanding The Characters Of Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None"
Agatha Christie\’s 1939 novel \”And Then There Were None\” is one of the best-selling books of all time, with over 100 million copies sold world-wide. The novel is a classic murder mystery, set on an isolated island off the Devon coast, where ten strangers are invited for a weekend retreat. Little do they know that a madman is about to pick them off one by one.
The novel has been adapted into a number of mediums, including a film, a play, and a television series. It has also been the subject of numerous critical analyses. In this article, we will take a closer look at the characters of Agatha Christie\’s classic novel.
The Narrator: Justice Wargrave
The novel is narrated by Justice Lawrence Wargrave, a retired judge who is also one of the guests on the island. He is a mysterious and complicated character, who is both the antagonist and the victim of the novel. He is the one who sets the plan in motion and is ultimately responsible for the murders. He is also the last one to die, as he takes his own life at the conclusion of the novel.
Justice Wargrave is an intelligent and perceptive man, who is able to piece together the facts of the case and deduce the murderer\’s identity. However, he is also capable of great cruelty and manipulation, as he coldly orchestrates the deaths of the other guests. He is an enigma, a man who is both a murderer and a victim, and is one of the most compelling and complex characters in the novel.
The Victims: The Ten Guests
The other characters in the novel are the victims of Justice Wargrave\’s plan. They are a group of ten strangers, who have been invited to the island under false pretences. They are:
General John Macarthur
Macarthur is a retired British Army officer who fought in the Boer War. He is an affable and jovial man, who is well-liked by the other guests. He is also a brave and loyal man, who is willing to go to great lengths to protect his friends.
Vera Claythorne
Vera is a young, attractive governess who is hired to look after the island\’s two children. She is a passionate and headstrong woman, who is determined to uncover the truth about the murders. She is also a fiercely loyal friend, who is willing to risk her own life to protect the people she loves.
Sir William Blore
Blore is a retired police officer and a former Scotland Yard detective. He is a gruff and no-nonsense man, who is determined to uncover the truth about the murders. He is also a brave and loyal man, who is willing to put his own life at risk to protect his friends.
Dr. Edward Armstrong
Armstrong is an enigmatic and mysterious doctor, who is also a guest on the island. He is a scientific and logical man, who is determined to uncover the truth about the murders. He is also a kind and compassionate man, who is willing to put his own life at risk to protect the people he loves.
Emily Brent
Brent is a pious and religious woman, who is also a guest on the island. She is a moral and upright woman, who is determined to uncover the truth about the murders. She is also a brave and loyal friend, who is willing to put her own life at risk to protect the people she loves.
Anthony Marston
Marston is a young, wealthy playboy, who is also a guest on the island. He is a charming and charismatic man, who is determined to uncover the truth about the murders. He is also a brave and loyal man, who is willing to put his own life at risk to protect his friends.
Philip Lombard
Lombard is a mysterious and enigmatic adventurer, who is also a guest on the island. He is an intelligent and perceptive man, who is determined to uncover the truth about the murders. He is also a brave and loyal friend, who is willing to put his own life at risk to protect the people he loves.
Mrs. Rogers and Mr. Rogers
The Rogers are a married couple who are also guests on the island. They are a quiet and unassuming couple, who are determined to uncover the truth about the murders. They are also brave and loyal friends, who are willing to put their own lives at risk to protect the people they love.
The Murderer: U.N. Owen
The murderer in the novel is U.N. Owen, a pseudonym for the person behind the murders. He is an enigmatic and mysterious figure, who is ultimately revealed to be Justice Wargrave. He is a cold and calculating man, who is determined to carry out his plan to exact justice on those he believes have escaped it.
Agatha Christie\’s \”And Then There Were None\” is a classic murder mystery, with an array of compelling and complex characters. From the narrator Justice Wargrave to the victims to the murderer, the novel is filled with characters who will stay with readers long after they have finished it.