Setting… In England Devon, a western county or shire of England Off the coast… Devon is the only shire with two coastlines An Island… given the name,

Indian Island…named for people of India I am an Indian boy from India…

Ten Little Indians an English nursery rhyme Ten Little Indians going out to dine; One went and choked his little self and then there were nine.

Nine Little Indian Boys sat up very late; One overslept himself and then there were eight.

 Eight Little Indian Boys traveling to Devon;  One got left behind and then there were seven.

Seven Little Indian boys playing with a hive; A bumblebee stung one and then there were five.

Five Little Indian boys going in for law; One got in chancery and then there were four.

Four Little Indian boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.

Three Little Indian boys walking to the zoo; A big bear hugged one and then there were two.

Two Little Indian boys playing with a gun; One shot the other and then there was one.

That is horrible and gruesome… but it is a nursery rhyme… and they could really be horrible and gruesome. One little Indian boy left all alone; He went and hanged himself …and then there were none.

How does the poem “Ten Little Indians” effect the characters in the play ? In the poem “Ten Little Indians,” which number is left out? What does it mean when the English say, “Everything was ‘sixes and sevens’?” Does that hint help?

About the Author Agatha Christie was born in 1890 in England She married a military man, a colonel, had one daughter, then divorced. ??????? ??????? ??????? Would that be unusual ( divorce) or very normal for a woman born in 1890 England?

Christie began writing mystery stories on a dare from her sister. Her first mystery novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, was published in 1920 and introduced her most famous character, Hercule Poirot. Miss Marple was another famed character of created by Christie. Are all dares dangerous?

Do you think Agatha Christie got divorced before or after she published her 1 st story in 1920? What do you think? Could becoming the “Queen of Crime” have anything to do with her becoming an independent person ? If you said “after”… you are absolutely right. !!!!!!!!!!!!!! In 1928, she was divorced.

Were any of the characters in Ten Little Indians military men… generals of colonels? Were any of the characters in Ten Little Indians women writers?… Did her divorce affect the characters that she used in her stories and plays?

Were any of the characters in Ten Little Indians divorced women, or working women with children? Were any of the characters women trying to find a rich husband or someone to take care of them financially?

Cast of Characters What item or symbol would you match with them to help recall who they are? Judge Wargrave – intelligent, calculating and commanding person. Take charge sort of person. Vera Claythorne – a former governess and is hired to be the secretary to a Mrs. Una Owens. General Macarthur – The oldest guest who feels guilt ridden for sending a soldier to his death during World War I because he was Macarthur’s wife’s lover.

Fred Naracott –boatman that brings the individuals to the island and checks each day for their supply needs and brings mail. Philip Lombard – a world traveler and former military and served in Africa. Dr. Edward Armstrong – gullible and timid doctor. A recovering alcoholic who operated on a patient while drunk.

William Blore – a former police inspector. He was corrupt and framed a man. Others look to him for advice since he had been a policeman. Emily Brent – old, ruthless, religious woman who reads her Bible every day. She feels righteousness and does not express any remorse over a fired servant.

Thomas Rogers – dignified butler. Ethel Rogers – housekeeper, excellent cook, but a frail person. Anthony Marston – rich, athletic young man that loves to drives too fast and has a hit-and-run in his past and seems to lack a conscience.

Theme Appearances are deceiving… How do people mask their true natures?

The Fear of Death What do the people do after the first death? How does Christie show you that these evil people fear death? What are some symbols of death?

??????????????? Where can you learn about symbols in literature? What about Christie’s particular symbols?

What can you do for a project that will help others understand any of the following: Theme Characterization (how the characters are developed and introduced to you… flaws and all…) Symbols The connection between setting and British society and social class… The effect of the depression on the people and class system of England

What else of hers might you read?