Student Question
What are Dr. Armstrong's feelings towards the island in "And Then There Were None"?
Quick answer:
Dr. Armstrong views the island as a fantastical escape, a place to disconnect from the world. Initially perceiving it as a tranquil retreat where he could envision a future detached from his troubles, he doesn't realize the ominous accuracy of his thoughts, considering no one was meant to leave the island alive. His initial perception of the island as a separate world aligns with his need for a break from his stressful life.
Dr. Armstrong came from London and was a tired doctor who needed a vacation. He had been in trouble for drinking, which he says he has successfully overcome, and he knew his competition was tough out there. He thought he was going to minister to the host's wife who had health issues. The host thought it was nerves. She wouldn't hear of seeing a doctor, so he had to observe her as a vacationing guest. When he got to the island, he thought the island was a fantasy --- somewhere where you could lose touch with the world. It seemed as if it was a world of its own. He liked that idea and started planning or fantasizing about his future. He thought,
"A world, perhaps, from which you may never return." (pg 36)
He did not know how accurate he was. No person invited to the island that week was meant to leave, and none did.
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