One way that a mystery works--and builds suspense--is that it creates problems and then offers solutions and then overturns those solutions. Like, for instance: On p. 122 Blore offers the theory that Owen is murdering by proxy and then Armstrong offers a critique of that theory. Essentially, the characters in the plot are doing what we're doing--they've got theories and then they play those theories out in the final hope of discovering who the killer is. Do you notice other places where that's happening in the book? What theories do you have about the killer? (Again, if you've finished the book, don't spoil it for everyone else.)
While we're talking about Blore, let's examine the peculiarity of that name. I've never heard of a person w/ that name before. It makes me think of "bore." It also makes me think of "blowhard." This fits him perfectly well: He's both, isn't he? Does Christie name any of her other characters w/ similar appropriateness?
We only hear the name a few times, however the name "Constance Culmington" which is the name that is used on Wargrave's invitation - makes me think of the word "cunning" - a weird meaning an achievement in deceit - which is what Mr. Owens is doing by getting all of these people to the island.
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ReplyDeleteYou can see the characters coming up with theories of who the killer is all throughout the book.. You see Vera speaking with Lombard trying to figure out who the killer is - he thinks it's the judge but doesn't have alot to back it up yet at that point, and Vera thinks that it is the doctor and lists all the ways that it could have been him who commited those murders up until that point in the book..
ReplyDeleteI didn't recognize any other instances where the characters created solutions and overturned them. I did notice a lot of theories thrown around in their mind or with the other charcters but usually the actual theorist cancels their own thought within moments of creation, i.e.,pg 132 when Dr. Armstrong suggests that Mr. Owen must be hiding on the island but by pg 135 it's discovered that this theory can't be true. Where would he hide? The Killer seems to be very calculated and cold. It's only a seriously diseased mind that would gather individuals on a deserted island and taunt them slowly by killing them off one by one AND then disguise yourself among the group as if you are just as unaware as them. Absolutely insane! Another point that is very intriguing is the book is called And Then There Were None so that means no one is left, does the killer commit suicide?????
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