Themes in And Then There Were None Essay

One little Indian boy left all alone: He went and hanged himself and then there were none (Christie 31). And Then There Were None is a murder mystery by Agatha Christie. It takes place on the eve of World War 2, on the newly purchased Indian Island. Ten victims were invited to spend a weekend as guests to a Mr. Una Nancy Owen, a person that no one is familiar with. As soon as they arrive, the sooner they began to get killed off. Sometimes called the Grand Dame of Mysteries, Agatha Christie is one of the best known writers in the world ("All About" 43). She wrote abount around 100 mysteries, and some romance, plays and short stories ("All About" 43). Agatha Christie portrays a theme in many characters named in this novel. In her mysterous novel And Then There Were None, author Agatha Christie portrays the negative effect of guilt through the characters William Blore, Phillip Lombard, ad Vera Claytorne.

William Blore is a former police inspector. "Blore was breathing hard. He said: "Lombard's got a revolver. He didn't tell the truth last night. He admits it." Philip Lombard smiled scornfully" (Christie 137). Blore confesses that he got a pomotion from providing evidence to convice Jams Landor (Perkins 244). Blore lies, and then tells on other people for lyng. He's trying to pass guilt from hiself onto another. Blore knows he has done something wrong, but he acts as though he's innocent.

Blore always seems to try and find a way to get attention off of himself. "Blore said: "There's another thing. She's the only one who wouldn't give an explanation after the gramophone record. Why? Because she hadn't any to give" (Christie 181). Blore eventually admitted that he falsely accused Landor was inocent ("Ten Little Indians" 244). Blore tries to put the attantion onto other people so that the guests are less likely to accuse him for any wrongdoing. Then he confesses to Lombard so maybe the guilt he was feeling would lessen. Blore tries to throw way his guilt by telling on other people, but then tries to make it disappear by confessing.

Phillip Lombard was a mysterious, resourceful, and confident mercenary soldier in Africa. Philip Lombard showed his teeth. He said: "I mean, my dear Blore, that in my opinion you haven't got a chance" (Christie 174). :Lombard, on the other hand, admits the story about him is true. While in the bush, he left a group of natives behind to die as a "matter of self-preservation." He justifies his actions by arguing that "natives don't mind dying.... They don't feel about it as Europeans do" (Hunter 244). Lombard may seem calm, but leaving a group of natives behind to save himself has to cause guild in some form. Lombard may be the calmest person on the island, but there has to be somethign he feels.

So far Lombard seems all cool and calm about thigns, but he begins to lose it. "Suddenly Philip Lombard laughed--a high unnatural laugh. "'Five little Indian boys going in for law; one got in Chancery and then there were four.' That's the end of Mr. Bloody Justice Wargrave. No more pronouncing sentence for him! No more putting on of the black cap! Here's the last time he'll ever sit in court. No more summing up and sending innocent men to death. How Edward Seton would laugh if he were here! God, how he'd laugh!" his outburst shocked and startled the others" (Christie 203). he dismissed his "crime" arguing that his own survival should take precedence over that of the natives (Hunter 249). Lombard is starting to crack. He seems to be afflicted with guild, causing him to weird out at times. Lombard finaly starts to snap and make clumsy and guilt ridden actions at points in time.

Vera Claythorne was a former governess. "She had moved a yard or two and was facing him, revolver in hand. "So that's the reason for your wonaly solicitude! You wanted to pick my pocked." She nodded. She held it steadily and unwaveringly. Death was very neat to Phili Lombard now... He said authoritatively: "Give that revolver to me." Vera laughed (Christie 240). They jumped on eachother and Vera shot him (Perkins 244). Vera was scared and so guilt ridden that she would rather murder someone that has not done anything to her, then look deep and try to find out the truth behind the murders.

Vera is not the best at keeping calm. "Vera turned restlessly in bed. No, no, she mustn't think of Hugo. It hurt too much! That was all over, over and donw with.... Hugo must be forgotten...." (Christie 209). Vera was tired so she headed back to her room. She found a rope tied in a noose hanging from a hook in the ceiling. She hangs herself ("Ten Little Indians" 244).Vera was afraid of the muderer because she knew she had done something wrong. The guilt was getting stronger and stronger, until it got to a point where she hanged herself. She did not know of any other way to end the guilt but suicide.

William Blore, Philip Lombard, and Vera Claythorne all portray guilt in many ways in Agatha Christies' mysterious novel, "And Then There Were None". William Blore, a former policeman, Philip Lombard, a mercenary in South Africa, and Vera Claythorne, a former governess. All victims of guilt, and three of the last four deaths on Indian Island. Guilt is not always show directly by some. it is sometimes hidden behind a "wall". Everyone just needs to look deep, and think hard to see guilt in others. But at times, it will be clearly shown through the actions and emotions of life, just like in this novel.