Ten Little Indians Analysis

Throughout the novel, there are a few examples of motifs that reappear in many different points in the novel. The best example of a motif in this novel is the use of the “Ten Little Indians” rhyme. A copy of this rhyme is placed in each of the characters’ bedrooms, and ten china figurines are placed in the kitchen. The “Ten Little Indians” rhyme reappears in the story as each character dies off, each death connecting to the soldiers’ deaths in the rhyme. For example, Tony Marston dies of asphyxiation in the very beginning of the novel, as is foretold by the nursery. The repeated use of this rhyme creates an overarching idea of an uncontrollable fate or destiny that all of the characters must face. This rhyme knows the inevitable death that

The first conflict is to find out who is murdering the guests, which is an external conflict. Of the two conflicts, this one holds the most importance because if they don’t solve it in time, they will die. Guilt, which is found within each of the character’s themselves, is the source of the other conflict. Each character was chosen for the island because they have each committed crimes in the past for which they feel varying levels of guilt. This creates an inner conflict within each character that is seen through various chapters from their viewpoint. For example, in chapter two we get a glimpse of the chaos in Vera’s mind regarding the time she let a boy die under her care. She thinks, “The sea...So peaceful today-sometimes so cruel… The sea that dragged you down to its depths. Drowned... Found drowned… Drowned at sea… No, she wouldn’t remember… She would not think of it! All that was over…” (Pages 28-29) This shows the inner struggle that many of the characters experience throughout the novel. The external conflict is not resolved by the characters, but is later revealed to the readers through Justice Wargrave’s confession letter. I believe the only ones to solve their problems of guilt were Vera Claythorne and Justice Wargrave. At the end of the novel, Vera Claythorne hangs herself because she believes that it’s what her lover wants her to do, and that he is waiting in the afterlife for her. By killing herself, I believe that she has freed her spirit from the guilt that burdened her because she is getting what she deserved for the murder that she committed. Justice Wargrave also takes his life in his hands and kills himself because he has also committed a crime by condemning the other guests to this immoral fate. He believes that once he does this, justice will have been served and those that previously went unpunished will be penalized