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Attwn Essay

The document provides an analysis of the character Justice Lawrence Wargrave from Agatha Christie's novel And Then There Were None. It summarizes that Wargrave is initially presented as a respected retired judge, but is later revealed to be the conniving murderer of the other characters. While he fools the others into thinking he is polite and dignified, he actually takes pride in his crimes and feels his actions constitute a form of justice. The character of Wargrave teaches that perceptions of justice can differ and not to judge a book by its cover.

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420 views3 pages

Attwn Essay

The document provides an analysis of the character Justice Lawrence Wargrave from Agatha Christie's novel And Then There Were None. It summarizes that Wargrave is initially presented as a respected retired judge, but is later revealed to be the conniving murderer of the other characters. While he fools the others into thinking he is polite and dignified, he actually takes pride in his crimes and feels his actions constitute a form of justice. The character of Wargrave teaches that perceptions of justice can differ and not to judge a book by its cover.

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© © All Rights Reserved
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Colbert 1

Madelyn
Mrs. Starry
English 9 Honors
14 September 2015

And Then There Were None Essay
Justice Lawrence Wargrave is the first character introduced in the novel And Then There
Were None by Agatha Christie. In the first few pages of the novel, the reader learns that
Wargrave is a retired judge who was well respected in the community. From this important
detail, it is assumed he is a law-abiding man who believes in justice. In addition, due to his
successful career, one can infer Wargrave is highly intelligent. However, there is more to Justice
Wargrave than meets the eye. He easily fools the other characters in the novel and hides his true
self from them in an impressive way.
Justice Wargrave presents himself to the other characters as polite and dignified. Emily
Brent describes him as, A distinguished old gentleman (Christie, 16). As the story unfolds,
Wargrave portrays himself as calm and collected. For example, while Vera and Lombard try to
escape death, and panic over which character is to be murdered next, Wargrave is never seen
losing his composure. Upon reading the end of the novel, his true conniving self is exposed. In
the confessional Wargrave writes, one sees how detailed and cunning Christie makes the
character as he his explains his horrific actions. His thirst for blood is made prevalent when he
writes, I wanted to kill Yes, I wanted to kill (Christie, 237). It is also revealed at the

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end of the novel that Justice Wargrave thinks very highly of himself, and he is even proud of his
crimes. This is something the other characters in the book would not have assumed. In his
confessional he writes, I have, let me confess it in all humility, a pitiful human wish that
someone should know just how clever I have been (Christie, 246).
Many lessons can be learned from Justice Lawrence Wargrave. Through his actions on
Soldier Island, one learns that what some consider to be justice can be very different from what
others believe to be justice. Wargrave considers himself to be fair and just despite his gruesome
behavior because he chooses to kill people who were guilty of crimes themselves. In his
confessional he writes, the innocent must not suffer (Christie, 237).
Justice Lawrence Wargrave is thought to be a victim of yet another murder by U.N.
Owen. Little do the other characters know, Justice Wargrave is the murderer himself. The true
reason for his stay on the island is just one of many secrets Wargrave keeps. Through this
character, Agatha Christie teaches the audience to never judge a book by its cover.


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Works Cited
Christie, Agatha. And Then There Were None. New York: Harper Collins Publisher, 1940.
Print.

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