List at least two symbols that the author uses. Provide a passage that includes a great example of how the writer uses symbolism in the novel. In at least one well-developed paragraph, write about the importance of this symbol in the book.

            Symbolism is used in the novel  And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie a few times. The main one was the storm that goes on for the majority of the story. Another symbol was the poem titled Ten Little Indians that hung in each bedroom.

Agatha Christine uses the storm to symbolize the disorder of the visitors on Indian Island. The beginning of the novel it is a hot and humid summer day, which causes a physical discomfort that is already felt internally by each of the novel’s characters. As the murders begin, the weather gradually gets worse until a storm breaks out as General Macarthur’s body is found. “The storm broke just as the old man’s body was borne in through the door. The others were standing in the hall. There was a sudden hiss and roar as the rain came down” (chapter 9). The fierce storm cuts the island off from the outside world.

Ten Little Indians is a nursery rhyme that was posted in all ten of the guest’s rooms. The poem is symbolic because it shows how the crazy murderer followed strictly to the nursery rhyme to carry out the murders. The murderer wanted to make the murders resemble the poem as closely as possible.