ELA IV, Honors

“Talk to the Text”

Dialectical Journal
Directions:​​ complete the following table. Add addition boxes if necessary. This is a partner
assignment; ​you and your partner must complete the second, third, and fourth columns​​ with
regards the quote listed in the first column. Each person in your partnership, must type their
answers in different colors.

Anatasia Pham = Red

Zoria Jones = Blue

A Quote An Analysis Peer Response Personal Reflection

Type a direct quote Provide an in-depth Compose a Express your
from the text selected. analysis (what, why reaction – thoughts concerning
Be sure to include and how) of the reflection your peer’s reaction
documented in-text quote listed concerning the to your analysis of the
citation information thoughts your quote.
(the page number) partner made in
their analysis

“Receiving an assent The scene illustrates ​ his quote shows

T I thought that Zoria’s
to this, the curtains how the symbol of that hope is in the reflection was
were drawn and the the storm is essence.Hope will interesting. I did not
lamps turned on. The responsible for the not be presented think of it like that so
room grew more dark atmosphere on towards the end reading her response
cheerful. A little of the island. However and the ending of opened my eyes for a
the shadow lifted. the tone flips to this catastrophe is new way to think
Surly, by tomorrow, hopeful with the only solved by about the storm. The
the storm would be mention or thought death. I believe storm representing
over and someone of the storm leaving. that this the calm from a storm
would come- a boat As soon as they significance of the was different than
would arrive…” think about the storm storm leaving is what I thought of
(176). disappearing, the symbolizing that what it symbolized. I
tone of the novel there is calm after still think that the
changes to optimistic the storm. storm represents
and more Presenting that isolationism but
encouraging. after this hearing Zoria’s
catastrophe in that
 went all of this thoughts on it was
from the incident interesting as well.
of murders and it
will be calm
peaceful silence.

“Tea! Bless ordinary The false merry I​ believe that this I​ agree with Zoria’s
everyday afternoon atmosphere from quote is a pure response that this
tea! Philip Lombard everyone drinking example of the scene makes not only
made a cheery remark. tea together is reasons of the characters but also
Blore responded. Dr. immediately broken Christie’s the readers on their
Armstrong told a by the mysterious providing redd toes. Since everyone
humorous story. Mr. disappearance of the hearing throughout knows that the
Justice Wargrave, shower curtain. This the plot. There was shower curtain was
who ordinarily hated reflects Agatha all fun and games stolen but they do not
tea, sipping Christie’s attitude when drinking, know what it will be
approvingly. Into this and stance that even representing the used for. However the
relaxed atmosphere with the facade of meaning that disappearance of the
came Rogers… He false security in nothing last forever shower curtain still
went out shutting the society, everyone and all happy reverts the hopeful
door behind him. will always be moment should be atmosphere back to
Inside the room, the suspicious and cherished truly. dark and suspenseful.
pall of fear had fallen cautious of others. Then shortly after I think the appeal of
anew. Again, Another interesting another catastrophe this novel is that
surreptitiously, they thought I had about has happened Christie tells the
watched each other” the shower curtain increasing the reader what will
(176-177). and its symbolization suspense through happen and what the
is that it is supposed the text. By should expect but
to represent keeping the reader they don’t know how
protection from on their toes of it will come about
water and the imagining that and who it will
outside, but because something is going happen to. This is the
it is taken away, to come up appeal of the mystery
people feel alert and randomly. in the book.
wary of others.

“Outside the rain The symbol of the In agreement with Reading Zoria’s
poured down and the storm builds the tone Anastasia, storm perspective was
wind howled in great of suspense and for others their interesting. However
shuddering gusts tension in the text perspective that I still think that the
against the because the storm is isolation is current descriptions and
windowpanes” (167). used to disconnect and they are soon imagery makes the
the characters from to be all doomed tone sinister because
the outer world and by death. That of the negative words
society, further focus on the book of howling and etc.
emphasizing their is now more Agatha Christie uses
isolation and trapped distracted on this this imagery to set the
state on the island. storm. The author atmosphere and
Furthermore with the is using a read setting for the reader
imagery and hearing to distract to imagine this in
description of the her ear from the their heads. I liked
storm with the use of details that may that Zoria mentioned
words such as provide meaning that the storm makes
howled and throughout the the readers and
shuddering, it makes plot. that imagery characters feel the
the atmosphere feel doesn’t give a impending doom over
dark and sinister, sinister tone the island. It
further enhancing the towards the text foreshadows what
mystery novel. and continuously will happen and how
increases the they will not have a
suspense. happy ending.

“But to begin with, I found it interesting By knowing the My thoughts and

he’s an old man and that the characters, killer who is the Zoria’s were similar!
he’s been presiding Vera and Philip, judge yearning and I think that it’s also
over courts of law for thought of this granting himself ironic how the
years. That is to say, explanation. It gives control. It characters even
he’s played God insight on what their exemplifies their guessed that it was
Almighty for a good thoughts are and it reasoning that that Judge Wargrave who
many months every also seems plausible criminals have the was the murderer.
year. That must go to as well. Judge power to have tons However what threw
a man’s head Wargrave seems the of knowledge to them off is his death
eventually. He gets to most suspicious conduct such a (which he faked).
see himself as all person to do this creative format. It This shocked the
powerful, as holding because he is related takes skills to readers when they
the power of life and to the justice system murdering people learned it was him
death- and it’s and how his job left and not getting behind it the entire
possible that his brain him in a position of caught. Like you time, however it
might snap and he authority over said Anastasia the made sense why it
might want to go one people’s lives. He judge even shows would be him too. It
step farther and be had the ultimate say hands of his was best explained in
Executioner and Judge in determining a yearning to control this quote from Vera
Extraordinary” (169). person’s life because the other members and Lombard as they
of their crimes or by determining conspire about who it
guilt. one's life due to could be.
their crimes or
guilt.

“The storm increased. During this scene, I​ find it appealing During the novel as I
The wind howled the storm raging that all of the was reading for a
against the side of the outside contributes characters are purpose, I noticed a
house. Everyone was to the tone of tension developing the lot of symbolism,
in the living room. and suspicion in the tension and anxiety especially in the
They sat listlessly text. The characters and just waiting for storm and figurines.
huddled together. looking at one something bad to However for my
And, surreptitiously, another illustrates happen, as the portion of the
they watched each their distrust they storm is present. assignment, I focused
other” (175). have for one another, This provides a on the storm. I found
even though they format for the that it was described
should be working reader to develop a vividly by Christie
together to find out sense of imagery of and was mentioned
who is the murderer the storm crashing numerous times
amongst them. I down on the throughout the novel.
think this represents isolated house and I think it was fitting
how humans in tense developing a sense for the plot and
situations will of their fear that enhancement of the
always turn on one something bad will atmosphere in the
another when they happen. book. It made the
could instead be mood feel ominous
their greatest lallies. while also working to
isolate the characters
away from society.

“She cried out: The symbolism of ​ omething I found

S I find Anastasia’s
‘The soldiers! Look!’ this quote is relating interesting that perspective
the china figures to a Zoria said is how interesting, I
There were only six soldiers. When these soldiers understand that the
china figures in the soldiers die they are relate to soldiers soldiers may be
middle of the table.” no longer capable of we have today. perceived as opposite
(184) standing and fighting Soldiers represent from soldiers in real
for their country. In strength and life. The perspective
relation to the endurance during of the characters
characters in the play times of war in real fighting for survival
once they die they life but in this could be considered a
are no longer novel, they viewpoint that is
fighting the battle of represent the relatable to real
survival. It characters as they soldiers. By now
represents the death are killed one by knowing the reason to
of characters as they one. Instead of why the killings are
die one by one a standing strong being committed
China figure is taken with bravery, the because all of the
away. The relation to characters devolve victims have
a supernatural being in guilt and committed murder
could be considered suspicion of others, themselves. The
to the reason why the leading to their treatment for an eye
China figures are destruction. So I for eye is
being taken away. think it is ironic significantly present
that the characters throughout the plot.
were symbolized
by these soldier
figurines when
they are quite the
opposite.

​ ‘Seven little soldier

“ The suspense of the I​ think the It is ironic that the
boys chopping up killings is shown addition of the characters are just
sticks And the next within this allegory. allegory or poem in now realizing that the
verse. ​I know the The allegory the beginning of lullaby is
whole thing by heart, I foreshadows each the novel makes it foreshadowing all of
tell you! Six little event of the murders even more intense the murders this late
soldier boys playing no longer making it a because it makes it in the book in chapter
with a hive. And mystery. If the even more of a 11. I also found the
that’s why I’m characters start mystery. We know reaction amusing of
asking-do they keep pre-planning for the what will happen them realizing the
bees on this island?- following murder but we do not true meaning behind
isn’t it funny?-isn’t it maybe it could be know who will it the lullaby. In
damned funny…?​’​” prevent. The happen to or how it agreement to your
(186) dramatic irony is will unfold. With statement I do believe
presented within the this, the audience that Christie does
text since the readers tries to predict and insert red herrings
understands the read for clues as to often due to the goal
meaning of the who will die how of building suspense.
lullaby before the the poem said they The reader will
characters do. The would. As the constantly wonder
placement of the reader tries to solve what is going to
lullaby located in the that, they are also happen next or
beginning of the text trying to find out become intrigued to
and its use of who the killer is as swift transition to
repetition adds well. I think this is normal after a
suspense throughout an example of how murder.
the plot. Agatha Christie
employs red
herrings to distract
the audience with
side stories or
mysteries.

Rogers said: This quote provides I thought that I believe that the
“I beg your pardon sir, the reason of always Zoria’s explanation people were
but there is no boat on having an escape of the quote was extremely gullible to
this island.” 73 plan on hand. House different. The even end up on a
developed a sense of quote tells that they deserted island so far
fear since Roger said are all stuck on the away from home and
that the boat is island with no are comfortable living
nonexistent on the mode of escape. with strangers in a
island. A sense of This solidifies their house. I enjoy
fear and suspense doom and deaths curiously thinking
has characters because they why they did not
knowing that they cannot escape no notice any suspicion
are now trapped. The matter what. I of not seeing any
only form to escape think the storm and other people on the
is for one to come lack of boat island as they arrived.
 and get them or all represent the same But a escape plan
the resources on the symbol; that there would be extremely
island will soon go is no way out and valuable at this time.
away and they will that they are The initial
die. This engages the trapped or isolated announcement of
audience to make from the rest of isolation does create
connections on what society now. suspense being to be
will happen ask how develop throughout
will they die and the plot.
who the murder of
this incident will be
and how creative this
murders is to get all
this people on
isolated island to
kill.

“I’m talking to you, The suspicion and I agree with I’d also like to make a
young man. The day guilt of this quote is Zoria’s response connection of
of judgment is very provided to ensure with how the old judgement day being
close at hand.” that no one on the man builds related to the Bible.
Subsiding into his seat island will make it suspense and also That God is supposed
Mr. Blore thought to out alive. The initial foreshadows what to be the ruler of one's
himself: few hints is will happen to the judgement day. But
“He’s nearer the day definitely stating that characters for the the killer gets the
of judgment than I everyone is readers. Judgement power to play God
am!” guaranteed to die day is for people and decide for
But there, as it and confessing to who have done himself who they
happens, he was their convicted guilty something guilty, want to grant the wish
wrong. 15-16 accusations that are and so they must of judgement day for
place on them. As be decided if they their death.
the plot enhances the live or die (or even
characters begin to go to heaven or
become more open hell). The old man
with their hidden is a minor side
secrets of their character however
murders which he is an important
leaves hints to who element in building
 will die next. The the tone and
reader is actively foreshadowing.
engaged into
observing the pattern
that the author
portrays to leave
hints to what will
happen next..

"My point is that there As the plot I think that Judge I admire the way the
can be no exceptions progresses it Wargrave taking judge is presenting
allowed on the score becomes more control of the himself as such a
of character, position, apparent that all of discussion is so wise man that
or probability. What the members on the that he can everyone deserves to
we must now examine island will be led to facilitate listen and follow to.
is the possibility of their termination in everything and In his deliverance of
eliminating one or the end. The author make sure it is all his advice he
more persons on the reveals a slight going according to continuously stirs up
facts.(140-141) warning that his plans. His focus drama between the
Wargrave is the on facts might also others. For instance
killer because he be because he is him suggesting that
automatically fills trying to play the the killer could be
the need to possess role of the judge anyone than everyone
control and led the who committed a begins to question
discussion of who is murder like they all one another to find
the killer. It is did. I feel like he the killer.
intriguing how did this to cover up
automatically he his tracks while
feels the need to also trying to hide
possess control and suspicion from
lead tell logical him. Now that we
discussion of who is know he was the
the murder. Seems as murderer because
if he even has of the epilogue, it
information that no all makes sense as
one else knows and to why he did it
that he should be because he was
chosen as the wise simply mad. He
man so that everyone took his twisted
else may leave more version of justice
information to him. and imposed it
himself like a
vigilante.