Chapter 16 / XVI

Journal Questions:

1. FRIZZLE MY SCHIZZLE. In the nursery rhyme, the next victim "got frizzled up" which means to burn. Another word for to burn somebody is to trick somebody, as in "Oooo, burn!"

How does Vera trick Lombard? Also, what will happen to Lombard's corpse if it's left out in the open sun? (one paragraph)


2. VERA SENSES HUGO IN THE ROOM. What two lines of text tell us that Vera believed that Hugo was in her bedroom at the time of her hanging? Do you think he was there? Was anyone there, really? How do you think the noose got there in the room, conveniently waiting for her? (one or two paragraphs)


3. AND THEN THERE WERE... NONE? There are no suspects left. What? That's it? How can that be?

Speculate on who you think was the murderer and how the murderer might have been planned and executed the grand scheme. (at least one big paragraph)


4. EMOTIONAL SOFT SPOTS. Everyone has certain vulnerabilities, or parts of their personalities where they are emotionally sensitive. Clearly Vera had hers. Someone appears to have not only known her weaknesses, but to have manipulated her with them.

What was she sensitive to? What specific manipulations by the killer triggered Vera's descent into madness? In other words, what did U.N. Owen do to get her to go over the edge? (one very detailed paragraph)


Epilogue


1. THE ELEVENTH VICTIM. Yet another victim ends up dead, beyond the "Indian Island Ten." Who was the eleventh victim? What details do we learn about his or her death? Using your inference skills, why do you think this person was targeted? (one paragraph)

2. THE INCREDIBLE MOVING CHAIR. According to the police report, the chair that Vera stood on, and then kicked out from under herself, was found neatly placed against the wall. What does this important detail tell us about her death and the identity of the murderer? (one paragraph)

3. MAINE AND LEGGE'S CONCLUSIONS. The two investigators draw some interesting conclusions about who the murderer is by shedding light on such details as:

- what happened to Isaac Morris
- who Elmer Robson was
- who recorded the gramophone record
- how the boy scouts were involved
- the seaweed on the chair
- and what ever happened to Edward Seton

Who do THEY think, then, "dunnit?" (short answer)


Manuscript

1. YEAH, RIGHT... WHATEVER, AGATHA. To make a good mystery work, the author has to sustain the belief of the readers by creating a world that feels entirely plausible, realistic, and full of verisimilitude.

Do you believe that this story stretches credibility to the point of breaking any sense of reality? Or do you believe this story is grounded in reality enough as to feel possible? Explain your answer with several reasons to support your belief. (one paragraph)

Chapter 15 / XV

Journal Questions:

1. ZOO LANDERS. What did Vera mean when she said, "We're the zoo." Elaborate, explain and support your point with details. (one paragraph)

2. SIMPLY DIVINE. Vera tells Lombard that his whole situation could be "divine retribution." What is divine retribution? How could the situation be considered to be divine retribution within the context of the story? (one paragraph)

3. THE BLORE CONUNDRUM. How was Blore killed? In your opinion is it possible for either Vera or Lombard to have committed this murder? What conclusions can you draw about the murder at this point in the story? (one paragraph)

4. TWO MORE BODIES. In a double plot twist, two more bodies are found at the end of this chapter. Whose? What was the apparent cause of death for each? How does it fit with the poem? (one paragraph)

5. IF YOU LIKED ATTWN... Suppose you've enjoyed this book so far. Do some research and name at least three other famous Agatha Christie Mystries that you could read if you wanted to. Also, name three other famous mystery genre novelists. (3 titles, 3 authors)

Chapter 14 /XIV

Journal Questions

1. THE ORDER OF THE DEATHS. Examine the order of who died. There is a definite pattern.

Part of Agatha Christie’s genius is how the order of the deaths seems to be based upon the severity of the crimes they committed. The victims who were deemed by the killer to be “less severe” were murdered first, and the victims who were deemed “more severe” were killed most recently.

Predict the future death order based upon the severity of the crimes of those four who are remaining alive, explaining in detail your reasoning. In other words, if the pattern holds, who should die next? Who should die last? Provide a justification for your order based upon how the crimes are growing increasingly severe. (four paragraphs, one for each character)


2. BLORE STARTS TO FEEL GUILT. In the beginning Blore barely remembered his alleged murder victim, Landor. Now he can recall every feature of his face and thinks about the man’s wife and daughter. What brought about this change? Would this change have happened if he hadn’t been in the situation he now finds himself? (one paragraph)


3. CASTING CALL. Sometimes it helps to imagine modern, popular actors playing the roles of characters in a book you are reading in order to get beyond just names on a page and to be able see the characters as people.

What actors would you cast for each of the ten, primary characters? Think about the character’s age, gender, personality, and previous roles, as well as the professions of each character.

For example, one student in class today suggested that Lombard could be George Clooney and some else saw him as Jonny Depp. (ten bullets)

CHAPTER  13/ XIII

1. PLANTING SEA PLANTS
Who do you think had the opportunity to put seaweed in Vera’s room? What was the point of doing that? What was her reaction? (one paragraph)

2. DRESSING FOR THE PART.
How was Wargrave’s body made up to look like a judge? How does this connect back to the rhyme? (one paragraph)

3. SOMETHING FISHY GOING ON.
In what sense is the term “red herring” from the rhyme used to have a double meaning? (one paragraph)

CHAPTER 11 / XI

*BONUS QUESTION!

LOMBARD DISSES BLORE.
In what way does Lombard insult Blore when he voices his opinion that Blore is not the murderer?

What specific qualities does Lombard believe that Blore is lacking?

What chances does Lombard give Blore of surviving? (one paragraph)


CHAPTER 12 / XII

WARGRAVE TAKES ACTION.

What two steps does Wargrave want to take to ensure the safety of the five remaining guests?

 What gets locked up and where?

Which two characters were chosen to guard the keys and why? (one paragraph)

Chapter 11 / XI

Journal Questions:

No journal questions tonight. Enjoy a night off.

Other homework includes studying Quizlet  for the Vocab Test on Thursday (moved from Friday) as well as continuing to read ATTWN chapter 12.