I used to think that the murderer is lurking around the location and wants to take revenge on some forgotten faces but now I am realizing that one of the first rules is that the murderer will always be one of these characters. An important point about the antagonist is the use of a foolish rhyme to commit shocking murders; this alarms the characters and the reader of the psychotic killer; hence, Christie wants the reader to follow the mystery along the rhyme.
Christie used the classic 'antagonist vs. protagonist' none of the characters can be called a 'good guy' or a 'bad guy' considering their pasts. It is striking that the novel is in third person yet the narrator isn't omniscient. Pointing back to the rhyme, it is important to note how General Mcarthur dies:
Christie used the classic 'antagonist vs. protagonist' none of the characters can be called a 'good guy' or a 'bad guy' considering their pasts. It is striking that the novel is in third person yet the narrator isn't omniscient. Pointing back to the rhyme, it is important to note how General Mcarthur dies:
" Eight little soldier boys traveling in Devon;
One said he'd stay there -
and then there were Seven."
It is quite easy to understand the novel based on this rhyme:
Seven little soldier boys chopping up sticks;
one chopped himself in halves -
and then there were six."
I predict that Thomas Rogers will be the next victim because he is the housekeeper and is most probably responsible for gathering wood for cooking and setting up a fireplace. It could be Blore or Lombard as well as they are spontaneous in adventuring out in search for any clues.
"Six little soldier boys playing with a hive;
a bee stung one -
and then there were Five."
"Three little soldier boys walking in the zoo;
a big bear hugged -
and then there were Two."
It will be interesting to see how Christie managed to fit in some of the most obscure lines into this novel by probably making some similar murder plans that closely replicate the rhyme.
