And Then There Were None

The soldier figurines represent the “Ten Little Soldiers” nursery rhyme and symbolize the death of each guest on Soldier Island. After the first death on the island, that of Anthony Marston, Mr. Rogers notices that one of the soldier figurines has gone missing. The guests quickly realize that it is no coincidence that after each murder on the island, another figurine disappears. Justice Wargrave writes in his confession at the end of the novel that he wanted his murders to be theatrical and spectacular. In choosing to mimic the death of each soldier in the rhyme, as well as use the soldier figurines as a symbol, Wargrave adds flair to his crimes. Death is a major theme in the novel that is emphasized through the gradual disappearance of each soldier figurine.

After Vera kills Lombard, she believes that she is the only person left on the island. There are three soldier figurines still left on the dining room table in the house, and she throws two of them out the window, a symbol of what she believes are the final two deaths on Soldier Island. Vera triumphantly clutches the final soldier figurine in her hand, a symbol of what she believes is her victory.