And Then There Were None

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Activity Pack
AND THEN THERE WERE NONE
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G A T H A
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Reorder No. 302008
Written by: Amber Reed
Student’s Page
And Then There Were None
Name: ________________________________
Date:_________________
Pre-Reading
Eploring the Setting
Objective:
Planning a trip to Devon
Activity
The setting for And Then There Were None is Indian Island, a fictional place off the coast of the county
of Devon, England. In the story, reference is made to Torquay, Agatha Christie’s birthplace, which is
also located in Devon. Apparently, the author is using a familiar geographical location for her setting.
Torquay, also known as the “English Riviera,” has been a popular seaside resort since Victorian times.
Signs of Victorian influence remain today, as seen in the town’s beautiful architecture and elegant
gardens. Life at this popular vacation site centers on the waterfront, which includes a harbor, an
international marina, and numerous beaches.
In this activity, you will plan a five-day trip to Torquay using a budget of $5,000.00. Use the Internet
and, if possible, a local travel agency to gather information and complete the Trip Log. Determine the
airline you will use, and provide the dates, times, and cost of the flights. Locate a hotel to complete
the lodging section. Likewise, estimate a cost for transportation, meals, and miscellaneous expenses.
Finally, research and list three sites you wish to visit during your stay in Torquay. Provide a brief
description of each site, such as its historical or cultural value, or why you are interested in seeing the
place.
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Reproducible Student Worksheet
Student’s Page
And Then There Were None
Name: ________________________________
Date:_________________
Chapter I
Writing Journals
Objective:
Writing character journals
Activity
Eight characters are briefly introduced as they travel to Indian Island. Imagine that each character
maintains a journal throughout the novel. Choose the character that most interests you, and create a
journal entry for each chapter of the novel, or until your character meets his or her demise. Attempt
to imitate the character’s thoughts, feelings, and suspicions in your writings. Keep in mind that your
character’s perspective is limited; he or she does not have access to other characters’ thoughts. Discuss
the events that occur, and use your creativity to fill any gaps. Each journal entry should be at least one
page in length.
Maintain the journal until your character is no longer a participant in the plot. A sample entry has
been started.
Example from Mrs. Rogers journal:
Guests began arriving today. The party is larger than I had anticipated; eight persons arrived.
Thomas and I should be able to handle it, though; we’ve been in tougher spots. Surprisingly, there’s
been no news from Mr. Owens or the missus. We had expected them yesterday, but haven’t heard a
word. One would think that they would like to greet their guests, but who knows how these rich folk
think. I suppose you can do what you want—forget propriety—when you set the standards. Wonder
who these Owens are? They paid us well enough—no complaints there—but an odd lot, to be sure. All
of our correspondences have been via mail or that Mr. Morris. There’s another strange one.
I haven’t felt right since we’ve arrived on the island; something seems amiss, and it’s not just
the Owens’ absences. The house is beautiful, but it’s eerie being so isolated from the world. What if
something were to go wrong? How would we get help? There’s no boat docked on the island; we must
wait for Mr. Narracott and his motor boat in the morning, I suppose.
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Reproducible Student Worksheet
Student’s Page
And Then There Were None
Name: ________________________________
Date:_________________
Chapters I–II
Characterization
Objective:
Inferring character traits
Activity
Ten characters meet on Indian Island, each person guided by separate circumstances. Justice Wargrave,
a retired Judge, has been summoned by a former female companion. Vera Claythorne, Dr. Armstrong,
and Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have been hired for their services. Captain Philip Lombard and Mr. Blore have
been paid under mysterious circumstances to travel to the island and await instructions. Miss Emily
Brent, General Macarthur, and Anthony Marston have received invitations to the island from past
acquaintances.
Enough information is supplied to infer each character’s psyche. The information may not be directly
stated, but careful study of the characters’ thoughts and behaviors should provide hints to their
personality traits.
Analyze the characters that are listed in the Character Chart. Complete the chart by providing a
physical description for each character; leave the space blank of none is provided. Next, select a word
from the Traits Chart that accurately describes each character’s personality; you may use a word more
than once, if necessary. In the final column, provide a quote that supports the trait you selected.
When the chart is complete, select the two most similar characters on the chart and write a oneparagraph comparison of them. Next, select the two least similar characters and write a paragraph to
contrast them.
An example is provided.
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Reproducible Student Worksheet
Student’s Page
And Then There Were None
Name: ________________________________
Date:_________________
Chapter III
Drama
Objective:
Recreating a dramatic scene
Activity
The scene in the drawing room, when the mysterious voice accuses each party member of murder, is
very dramatic. The characters’ reactions, including their next actions, effectively portray the shock and
tension of the scene.
The class will act out the drawing room scene in Chapter Three, beginning with the entrance of the
men on page 41 and continuing until the end of the chapter. Each student should follow the directions
for his or her role in the drama.
Actors:
As a group, re-read the chapter and type out the characters’ lines and stage directions. Create one
master script for everyone to use; and each of you highlight your character’s lines to remain on cue
during the performance. Type the actions, or stage directions in italics so that they are distinguishable.
Rehearse together once the script is complete.
The script should resemble the following:
Miss Brent and Miss Claythorne are sitting in the drawing room. Door opens, and men enter. WARGRAVE
sits beside Miss Brent. ARMSTRONG sits beside Miss Claythorne. MARSTON strolls to window. BLORE
studies brass statuette. MACARTHUR stands with back to mantel, pulling at moustache. LOMBARD picks up
magazine from a table against the wall and flips through pages. ROGERS makes rounds with the coffee tray.
Comfortable silence ensues.
Suddenly, an unknown, booming voice is heard.
VOICE:
Ladies and gentlemen! Silence, please!
The characters are startled and confused; they look around at each other.
VOICE:
You are charged with the following indictments: Edward George Armstrong, that you….
Stage Crew:
As a group, re-read the chapter and make a descriptive list of the props needed. Try to include every
detail, such as the pile of papers on the table by the wall. Plan how to construct the set and collect
the props and costumes. Use whatever furniture is available, or construct props with materials such
as cardboard. Costumes do not need to be elaborate. If necessary, research the time period for attire
guidelines.
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Reproducible Student Worksheet
Student’s Page
And Then There Were None
Name: ________________________________
Date:_________________
Chapter IV
Interviewing Characters
Objective:
Interviewing main characters
Activity
You are the host of a popular television talk show who has flown to Indian Island to interview the
guests. The characters have just heard the tape accusing them of murder. You intend to remain unbiased in your questioning while exposing new details with the hope of increasing your show’s ratings.
As a group, compose ten questions to ask the characters during the interview. Try to arrange the
questions so they expose new and interesting information. Also, create answers for the questions. The
goal is to produce a sensational show to increase the ratings, so be creative; do not be afraid to ask
controversial or potentially insulting questions.
Elect students from the group to be the characters and someone to be the host. Present the interview
before the class.
Three sample questions are provided.
• Sample question for John Macarthur: “General Macarthur, are you trying to tell us that you had
no idea of your wife’s affair with Arthur Richmond?”
• Sample question for William Blore: “Mr. Blore, did your career advance as a direct result of your
arresting James Landor?”
• Sample question for Philip Lombard: “Can you honestly say that your conscience is clear?”
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Reproducible Student Worksheet
Student’s Page
And Then There Were None
Name: ________________________________
Date:_________________
Chapters V–VI
Identifying Emotion
Objective:
Identifying particular emotions
Activity
Tension increases when two visitors unexpectedly die under mysterious circumstances. Tony Marston’s
death is a questionable suicide; his youth and arrogance create doubts as to his motive. Ethel Rogers
appeared frail and unwell, but her untimely passing still rattles the other guests, who suspect treachery.
The chart below contains a list of feelings that arise at least once in chapters five and six. Complete the
Emotion Chart by locating and quoting an example of each sentiment. In addition, provide the page
number of the quote. Two examples are given.
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Reproducible Student Worksheet
Student’s Page
And Then There Were None
Name: ________________________________
Date:_________________
Chapter VI
Symbolism
Objective:
Analyzing the symbolism of a character’s dream
Activity
Dream interpretation has been practiced for centuries. However, not until the development of
psychoanalysis did dream analysis become an acknowledged science.
Numerous techniques exist for dream interpretation. Some experts believe that dreams are an
expression of deep, unhindered desires that reveal emotions of which we are usually unaware. Dreams
are also said to function as warnings, wish-fulfillments, or as ways for people to claim control over
their fears.
Doctor Armstrong denies that he is aware of killing any patients in the past, particularly Louisa Clees.
His thoughts, however, divulge the truth:
“Drunk—that’s what it was—drunk…. And I operated! Nerves all to pieces—hands shaking. I killed her, all right. Poor devil—elderly woman—simple job if I’d been sober. Lucky
for me there’s loyalty in our profession. The Sister knew, of course—but she held her tongue.
God, it gave me a shock! Pulled me up. But who could have known about it—after all these
years?”(Pg. 65)
Doctor Armstrong has a haunting dream which involves his secret past and characters from the
present. In this activity, complete the Dream Analysis Chart by scrutinizing the elements listed and
providing an analytical explanation for each. For example, determine if people and objects symbolize
another person, thing, or emotion. There are no correct answers, just personal interpretations. An
example is provided.
When the Dream Analysis Chart is complete, write a paragraph explaining how the dream correlates
with the story. For instance, what does the dream reveal about Doctor Armstrong’s past actions and
present feelings?
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Reproducible Student Worksheet
Student’s Page
And Then There Were None
Name: ________________________________
Date:_________________
Chapter VIII
Letter Writing
Objective:
Composing a letter from one character to another
Activity
General Macarthur divulges his past to Vera Brent by confessing to the murder of his wife’s lover,
Richmond. He says, “Murder—and
Murder—and I’ve always been such a law-abiding man! But it didn’t seem like that
Murder
at the time. I had no regrets.” (Pg. 117) Now, on Indian Island, General Macarthur has become insane
from the guilt he has felt over the years; he feels that retribution—in the form of death—is imminent.
Pretend that you are General Macarthur and you wish to clear your conscience. Write a letter to your
wife, Leslie, or Richmond expressing the reasons for your past actions and the subsequent effects of
those actions. Express how you felt when you sent Richmond on his fatal mission versus how you feel
now. Do you believe that you acted correctly or that your motives were legitimate? Are you seeking
forgiveness or understanding? Would you do anything differently if given the chance? The letter should
be at least one page in length.
Exchange letters with a classmate and write a response to the letter that you receive from the perspective of the character to whom it is addressed, either Leslie or Richmond. In the response, address the
General’s comments. Do you feel that his actions were justified or excusable? Do you forgive him? Do
you regret the affair? How might you have done things differently?
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Reproducible Student Worksheet
Student’s Page
And Then There Were None
Name: ________________________________
Date:_________________
Chapter XI
Writing Dialogue
Objective:
Composing and narrating a dialogue
Activity
Six characters now remain—Vera Claythorne, Justice Wargrave, Philip Lombard, Doctor Armstrong,
Emily Brent, and William Blore. Each character knows that someone within the group is the murderer,
and each person has a primary suspect in mind. The characters, despite their racing thoughts and suspicions, behave “all outwardly self-possessed and normal.” (Pg. 177)
As a group, write a dialogue for the characters that expresses their thoughts and misgivings. Have characters reveal what they think about each other, whom they suspect, and why. Try to relate the tension
of the situation, and see if a suspect can be agreed upon by a majority of the group.
Practice reading the lines together to prepare for reading the conversation before the class. Try to
express the characters’ emotions when you are performing.
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Reproducible Student Worksheet