And Then There Were None Analysis

And Then There Were None

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie illustrates the repercussions of a serial killer imprisoning ten civilians on an isolated island. When eight strangers receive letters informing them to travel to the mysterious, remote Soldier Island, they are suspicious of the unfamiliar sender, ‘Mr. Owen.’ When the visitors arrive they are curious to meet their host, but he is nowhere to be found; instead they discover two servants. Touring the house, they are intrigued to perceive ten soldier statues on the kitchen table and a nursery rhyme in each of the bedrooms which reads: Ten little Soldier Boys went out to dine; one choked his little self and then there were nine.

Nine little Soldier Boys sat up very late; one overslept himself and

Two little Soldier Boys sitting in the sun; one got frizzled up and then there was one.

One little Soldier Boy left all alone; he went out and hanged himself and then there were none. (Christie 34)

They conjecture that having exactly ten people on Soldier Island is merely a coincidence. However, their first night on the island two people are murdered, one at dinner and the other in their sleep, and in the morning everyone is surprised to notice there are only eight soldier statues on the table. One by one the guests are assassinated in the same way as the poem states, and after every death, a statue disappears from the table. Seeking justice, three of the men search the island to find the serial killer, but when they discover nothing, they begin to accuse each other. Eventually, nine of the guests are murdered, and there is only one civilian left. At first, they are relieved to finally be alone, but the haunting memories and isolation take its toll, and they commit suicide. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie demonstrates how death is an unavoidable part of life and explains its extreme impact on