1. Foreshadowing:
* Page 1: "I’ve been thinking," said Justice Wargrave, “that there are a lot of things in this world that aren’t quite what they seem to be."
* Explanation: This opening line immediately sets a suspenseful tone and hints at the deceptive nature of the characters and the events to come.
2. Symbolism:
* Page 3: “The nursery rhyme was hanging on the wall, in a frame.”… "Ten little soldier boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were nine."
* Explanation: The nursery rhyme, a prominent symbol throughout the novel, foreshadows the deaths and acts as a macabre countdown, highlighting the relentless nature of the killer.
3. Suspense:
* Page 124: "The door to the bedroom was locked on the outside."
* Explanation: The locked door creates a sense of urgency and mystery, raising questions about who is trapped inside and why the door is locked.
4. Irony:
* Page 228: "The man in the raincoat... had spoken of a "good life" which was a mockery of what he was doing."
* Explanation: The irony lies in the contrast between the killer's stated desire for a "good life" and the brutality of his actions, highlighting the complexity of human nature and the potential for deception.
5. Red Herring:
* Page 185: "The thought came to Vera... that perhaps it was not the murderer but the victim who was the most dangerous of the two."
* Explanation: This line introduces a false suspicion, leading the reader to believe that the victim might be the true threat, while the real culprit remains hidden.
Note: These are just a few examples, and many more literary devices can be found in Agatha Christie's masterful novel.