![]() Since all of his victims are supposedly guilty of murder, Wargrave, like the detective, acts as an agent of justice, making sure that murderers are punished for their crimes. Despite his identity as murderer, however, Wargrave is not entirely unlike the detective in a traditional mystery story. He plans the entire enterprise, selects his ten victims, buys the island, and then pretends to be one of the group. But as we learn at the close of the novel, when a local fisherman recovers his confession, Wargrave himself is the killer. In a standard detective story, Wargrave’s behavior would make him the detective figure, using his experience with the criminal mind to unmask the killer. It is partially Wargrave’s experience with criminal proceedings that makes the others go along with his leadership, but he also has a confidence-inspiring ability to project an air of cold reason in a time of crisis. ![]() Wargrave analyzes evidence, authorizes searches both of the island and of people’s possessions, and takes charge of drugs and other potential weapons, ensuring that they are safely locked away. When leading group meetings on the island, he often acts like a judge presiding over a court. He is the first to insist publicly that they are dealing with a homicidal maniac, and the first to acknowledge that the killer must be part of their group. ![]() Once the situation on Indian Island becomes clear and the guests realize that a murderer is hunting them, they look to Wargrave for leadership, and he obliges. tortoise-like neck,” and “pale shrewd little eyes” his ugliness makes his appearance more forbidding. Christie describes Wargrave as wizened and ugly, with a “frog-like face. During his years on the bench, he had a reputation as a “hanging judge”-a judge who persuaded juries to bring back guilty verdicts and sentenced many convicted criminals to death. A recently retired judge, Wargrave is intelligent, cold, and commanding.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |