Final answer:
Agatha Christie's 'And Then There Were None' is set in the late 1930s, around the time of its publication in 1939. The exact year is not specified, but the era's atmosphere plays a vital role in shaping the events that occur on the isolated Soldier Island.
Step-by-step explanation:
The book And Then There Were None written by Agatha Christie does not specify a particular year in which the events of the novel take place. However, it is widely accepted that the novel is set in the late 1930s, consistent with the time it was written, which was in 1939. The setting is an important aspect of the mystery genre, providing a backdrop that influences the plot and character actions.
The novel unravels on a fictional island named Soldier Island, off the Devon coast in England. This isolation is a critical element to the suspense and development of the story. The characters in And Then There Were None are lured to the island under various pretenses and are systematically murdered according to a nursery rhyme. The time period of the 1930s adds to the atmosphere of the novel, with the absence of modern technology emphasizing the isolation and helplessness of the characters.
The setting plays a pivotal role in the development of Christie's novel. It contributes to the sense of suspense and envelops the reader in the time-specific societal norms and expectations, which are relevant to the characters' actions and motivations. While the exact year is not given, the historical context suggests it takes place around the late 1930s, aligned with the original publication year of the book.