RebeccaM

June 16, 2010**
 * Response Essay # 3:** **__2ND REVISION__

Two different genres of Detective Fiction: Classic vs. Hard Boiled

Detective fiction is exciting literature to read. Whether classic detection or hard-boiled detection, the reader is taken away by the author’s ability to captivate. “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” by Arthur Conan Doyle, which is a classic detective mystery, and __The Big Sleep__ by Raymond Chandler, a hard boiled detective mystery, are illustrations of the two different categories of detective fiction. Classic detection can be described as slow paced and straight forward with one focused mystery or problem whereas hard boiled detection can be described as clever, with witty metaphors, and fast paced with many different mysteries combining into one story. These characteristics embody the strengths and weaknesses each genre. Doyle’s “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” is a perfect example of a classic detective story. Although the plot is very slow paced, it allows the reader to take in all of the detail and actually visualize the scenes which the narrator is portraying. An example of the extensive detail that Doyle provides is when Dr. Watson, the narrator, is describing their new client who is in a state of terror: “She raised her veil as she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable state of agitation, her face all drawn and gray, with restless frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot with premature gray, and her expression was weary and haggard” (wiki). Doyle provides his readers with a great amount of detail that raises the curiosity in their thoughts that want them to continue reading. Even though providing extensive detail can strengthen a literary piece it can be a weak point. In my opinion, a minor weakness in Doyle’s writing is that we have no idea what the title means until the end when we find out what the “speckled band” actually is. Many readers might portray this as a strength because it builds up the anticipation of what the twist in the story is. But I prefer knowing the solution then going back to do some detective work of my own and piece together the information given. Chandler’s __The Big Sleep__ exemplifies hard- boiled detection. In contrast to “The Adventure of the Speckled Band”, the plot of this story is fast paced, including many different mysteries tying into one another as the story unfolds. Although this story unravels at a faster rate than the classic detection story, it compares in strength to “The Adventure of the Speckled Band”, as both stories assist the reader in visualizing the setting. Chandler is highly precise in his word choice and diction. Through his language he is able to create a vivid mental image of the setting for his readers. This includes the detail, imagery and metaphors he incorporates, which is another strength of Chandler’s writing. Chandler also creates an edgy, rough tone through his metaphors. An example of a metaphor used in his descriptions is during his first meeting with the General: “The General spoke again, slowly, using his strength as carefully as an out-of-work show-girl uses her last good pair of stockings” (8). Chandler also incorporates his title __The Big Sleep__, which is a trope for death, into his descriptions. When describing the plants in the greenhouse Chandler’s main character, Marlowe, states, “The plants filled the place, a forest of them, with nasty meaty leaves and stalks like the newly washed fingers of dead men” (7). Although Chandler’s writing has many strengths, a minor weakness is that since there is so much going on at times it can be hard to follow. Of course the plot always keeps the readers at the edge of their seats with the fast pace but it is also easy for the reader to get lost and have to refer back to the text. In conclusion, there are a few differences between classic detection and hard-boiled detection. Classic detective fiction presents one main problem versus hard boiled detective fiction which provide several. Classic detection is slow paced and features extensive details whereas hard boiled detective fiction flows at a rapid pace keeping their readers on the edge of their seats. Both genres have strengths and minor weaknesses but both are unique in their own way. Whether classic or hard boiled, detection keeps the readers interested, excited and curious as to the solution(s) of the stories.

June 14, 2010
 * Response Essay # 1:** **__2ND REVISION__

Important detective elements presented in "The Murders in the Rue Morgue"** What makes a short story profound? Interesting characters? An intense plot? Whatever it is, it does not have as much time to develop the storyline as a novel. However, in restricted space, Edgar Allan Poe establishes a brilliant, suspenseful, and a mind boggling short story. “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” has often been referred to as the first modern detective story of the genre. Poe incorporates all the essential elements of detective fiction into a triumphant story. The story includes a brilliant detective with eccentricities that cause the reader to want to know more about him, a perplexing mystery and an outrageous ending. All of these elements correspond to my conception of what a successful detective and mystery fiction should be.

Allow me to explain the elements necessary for detective fiction that I have mentioned in my opening paragraph. In the beginning of this story Poe purposefully focuses on the discourse on analysis which introduces the inner workings of Dupin’s mind to his readers. The importance of Poe’s introduction of Dupin coincides with the idea of solving a puzzle. Dupin concentrates on getting inside the mind of his opponents, to always be two steps ahead which makes him very bright. So much so that he believes the police are incompetent and he knows more than they do. Dupin is observational, imaginative, logical, and does this type of work for amusement, which makes his character that much more interesting. The narrator states, “He seemed, too, take an eager delight in its exercise—if not exactly in its display—and did not hesitate to confess the pleasure thus derived” (6). This passage is insinuating that the mystery aspect of a crime, as well as having the challenge of ‘what was it’ and ‘whodunit’ is entertainment to Dupin. His methods follow that of a typical detective story such as gathering the facts and his personal investigations of the crime scene.

Developing the mystery with explicit detail is how Poe incorporates the important element of the mystery itself. After Poe establishes his character of Dupin, he moves to bringing in the facts of the case, Dupin’s investigation of the crime scene, how Dupin solved the mystery, and the ending of the story with the sailor’s confirmation of Dupin’s solution. Poe writes with violent and grisly details when describing the murders that the reader cannot help but to question who would commit such an awful crime. An example of his fierce detail is when Poe describes the account of the murders, “…where lay a corpse of the old lady, with her throat so entirely cut that, upon an attempt to raise her, the head fell off. The body as well as the head was fearfully mutilated—the former so much so as scarcely to retain any semblance of humanity” (9). Dupin engages in a voyage to find out the ‘whodunit’ whereas the reader joins him because we can’t help but to wonder as well.

As for the ending of the story Poe provides his readers with such a twist that it comes as a shock when we find out who mutilated these two women. Although Poe presents the idea through his narrator that the murderer is not a human about seven pages before the closing, “this hair is most unusual—this is no human hair” (23), it still baffles the readers mind when they find out it was an Ourang-Outang, an ape who escaped from the sailor who committed such murders. Authors of detective fiction purposely throw in shocking twists to trick their readers. The murderer or perpetrator is never who we think it is which makes the element of the ‘mystery’ in detective fiction more appealing.

In accordance with many critics I concur in saying that this story is the first modern detective story. Poe presents three of the major rudiments every good detective story should have, the mastermind detective, the intriguing crime/mystery itself, and the shocking conclusion to fascinate readers. “Murders in the Rue Morgue” corresponds to what I personally believe the components of detective fiction should be. Having misguided the readers and striking them with such an ending is what detective fiction is all about. Poe demonstrates this quite well.

June 14, 2010** Two different genres of Detective Fiction: Classic vs. Hard Boiled
 * Response Essay # 3:** **__1ST REVISION__

Detective fiction is exciting literature to read. Whether classic detection or hard-boiled detection, the reader is taken away by the author’s ability to captivate. “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” by Arthur Conan Doyle, which is a classic detective mystery, and __The Big Sleep__ by Raymond Chandler, a hard boiled detective mystery, are illustrations of the two different categories of detective fiction. Classic detection can be described as slow paced and straight forward with one focused mystery or problem whereas hard boiled detection can be described as clever and fast paced with many different issues combining into each other. These characteristics embody the strengths and weaknesses each genre. Doyle’s “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” is a perfect example of a classic detective story. Although the plot is very slow paced, it allows the reader to take in all of the detail and actually visualize the scenes which the narrator is portraying. An example of the extensive detail that Doyle provides is when Dr. Watson, the narrator, is describing their new client who is in a state of terror: “She raised her veil as she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable state of agitation, her face all drawn and gray, with restless frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot with premature gray, and her expression was weary and haggard” (wiki). Doyle provides his readers a great amount of detail that raises the curiosity in their thoughts that want them to continue reading. Even though providing extensive detail can strengthen a literary piece it can be a weak point. In my opinion, a slight weakness in Doyle’s writing is that we have no idea what the title means until the end when we find out what the “speckled band” actually is. Many readers might portray this as a strength because it builds up the anticipation of what the twist in the story is. But I prefer knowing the solution then going back to do some detective work of my own and piece together the information given.

Chandler’s __The Big Sleep__ exemplifies hard- boiled detection. In contrast to “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” the plot of this story is fast paced, including many different mysteries tying into one another as the story unfolds. Although this story unravels at a faster rate then the classic detection story, it compares in strength to “The Adventure of the Speckled Band”; as both stories assist the reader in visualizing the setting. Setting “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” aside as a difference, Doyle provides his readers with extroverted detail where as Chandler is highly precise in his word choice and diction. Through his language he is able to create a vivid mental image of the setting for his readers. This includes the detail, imagery and metaphors he incorporates, which is another strength of Chandler’s writing. Chandler also creates an edgy, rough tone through his metaphors. An example of a metaphor used in his descriptions is during his first meeting with the General: “The General spoke again, slowly, using his strength as carefully as an out-of-work show-girl uses her last good pair of stockings” (8). Chandler also incorporates his title __The Big Sleep__, which is a trope for death, into his descriptions. When describing the plants in the greenhouse Chandler’s main character, Marlowe, states, “The plants filled the place, a forest of them, with nasty meaty leaves and stalks like the newly washed fingers of dead men” (7). Although Chandler’s writing has many strengths, a minor weakness can be associated with the fact that since there is so much going on at times it can be hard to follow. Of course the plot always keeps the readers at the edge of their seats with the fast pace but it is also easy for the reader to get lost and have to refer back to the text.

In conclusion, there are a few differences between classic detection and hard-boiled detection. Classic detective fiction presents one main problem versus hard boiled detective fiction which provide several. Classic detection is slow paced and features extensive details whereas hard boiled detective fiction flows at a rapid pace keeping their readers on the edge of their seats. Both genres have strengths and minor weaknesses but both are unique in their own way. Whether classic or hard boiled, detection keeps the readers interested, excited and curious as to the solution(s) of the stories.

June 12, 2010**
 * Response Essay # 2:** **__2ND REVISION__

“A Jury of her Peers” vs. “Murders in the Rue Morgue” The differences among male and female detectives

In the stories we’ve read we have experienced both male and female perspectives detective fiction through authors such as Poe and Glaspell. As readers we come to the realization of the differences between male and female detectives. Although the detectives in these stories share the common characteristic of being investigators, there are several differences in their nature of thinking. Men tend to reflect in a logical, more assertive sense, where women investigate the emotional aspect and employ more intuition and empathy. In Susan Glaspell’s “A Jury of her Peers”, it is the women to who take the stage and captivate the reader’s emotions. This feminist short story reveals a sisterhood that Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters are still able to manage as a mysterious, small-town murder unfolds. In contrast, Edgar Allan Poe’s “Murders in the Rue Morgue” demonstrates the brilliant male detective, Dupin, who is superior to all of those around him, and solves a murder mystery with his analytical, logical, and imaginative capabilities. Women expose compassionate and sympathetic understanding as well as knowledge of other women which connects the women on a personal level. Whereas men show little or no interest in emotions and are only concerned about the hard facts.

Emotion can be characterized as a sympathetic feeling that comes over the character when the character becomes aware of the crime or vision of the crime scene. In “Jury” Glaspell depicts how male and female reactions differ. Mrs. Peters is quoted saying, “‘Oh—her fruit,” she said, looking to Mrs. Hale for the sympathetic understanding. She turned back to the county attorney and explained: “She worried about that when it turned cold last night. She said the fire would go out and her jars might burst’” (162). Showing deep emotion, Mrs. Peters is concerned about Mrs. Wright while her husband’s reaction demonstrates complete opposite: “Mrs. Peters’ husband broke into a laugh. ‘Well, can you beat the women! Held for murder, and worrying about her preserves!’ ” (162). Mr. Peters has no interest in the way Mrs. Wright might be feeling but has already accused her of murder as he states that she is being “held for murder” (162). He seems to be unconcerned that there isn’t a motive or proof; in his eyes she is already guilty. Another example for the lack of sympathy from a male comes from Poe’s “Murders” although not from Poe’s main character, Dupin, but himself. Poe writes the newspaper account with explicit detail as if the woman victim who he describes so informally as “the old lady” is simply just another case, showing no compassion at all: “…where lay a corpse of the old lady, with her throat so entirely cut that, upon an attempt to raise her, the head fell off. The body as well as the head was fearfully mutilated—the former so much so as scarcely to retain any semblance of humanity” (9). This passage presents the reader with a grisly detailed description of fact. Not once does Poe write how “the party” who is investigating the crime scene reacted or felt upon entering that room where the deceased women lied.

Women sleuths can relate to other women on an emotional and personal level because they are able to compare their knowledge and experience as a female whereas men cannot. Glaspell once again provides her female protagonists with sincere sympathy as Mrs. Peters relates her own life experience to Mrs. Wright’s current situation. “‘When I was a girl,’ said Mrs. Peters, under her breath, ‘my kitten—there was boy took a hatchet, and before my eyes—before I could get there—‘She covered her face an instant. If they hadn’t held me back I would have’—she caught herself, looked upstairs where footsteps were heard, and finished weakly – ‘hurt him’”(172). Mrs. Peters’ connects an experience that happened in her youth to how Mrs. Wright might feel, not necessarily blaming Mrs. Wright whether she is guilty or not. The men on the other hand, are simply looking for evidence and a motive. In their eyes Mrs. Wright is already guilty. As for Dupin in “Murders”, it seems that he has trouble making any personal connection to any of his cases because he does it partly for the “amusement” aspect of it all. The narrator who speaks of Dupin clarifies our notion of Dupin’s amusement in his work, he states, “He seemed, too, to take an eager delight in its exercise—if not exactly in its display—and did not hesitate to confess the pleasure thus derived (6).

Although I do prefer the women writers and their way of expressing the little details in their stories, the male writers have their own way of making their stories just as enjoyable to read. The graphic details can be a little bit disturbing but they add to the story just as the specific details that the women authors include in theirs matter. The significance of the differences presented by these authors is simply the comparison, and contrasts between the male and the female. After reading many different stories where the male and female take on the important role of the detective or private eye, we as readers come to the notion that no matter how many similarities or differences good detective mystery develops because of the elements the author presents. If all writers wrote their stories the same, it would be unentertaining. Both Glaspell and Poe display their brilliant techniques in writing and although their stories are written from different viewpoints they both engage their reader in great mysteries.

__Two different genres of Detective Fiction: Classic vs. Hard Boiled__
 * Response Essay # 3: Classic vs. Hard Boiled**

Detective fiction is exciting literature to read. Whether classic detection or hard-boiled detection, the reader is nevertheless taken away by the author’s technique to captivate their reader’s interests. “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” by Arthur Conan Doyle, which is a classic detective mystery, and “The Big Sleep” by Raymond Chandler, a hard boiled detective mystery, are two different illustrations of the two different categories of detective fiction. Classic detection can be described as slow paced and straight forward with one focused issue whereas hard boiled detection can be depicted as clever and fast paced with many different issues combining into each other. These characteristics, of the two different genres, correspond to the strengths and weaknesses each of them encompass.

Doyle’s “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” is a perfect example of a classic detective story. Although the plot is very slow paced a strength that it reveals allows the reader to take in all of the detail and actually visualize the scenes in which the narrator is portraying. An example of the expansive detail that Doyle provides is when Dr. Watson, the narrator, is describing their new client who is in a state of terror. “She raised her veil as she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable state of agitation, her face all drawn and gray, with restless frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot with premature gray, and her expression was weary and haggard” (wiki). Providing the reader with this amount of detail raises the curiosity in his/her thoughts that want them to continue reading. Even though providing extensive detail can strengthen a literary piece it can still contain weak points. In my opinion, a slight weakness in Doyle’s writing is that we have no idea where the title takes a role until the end when we find out what the “speckled band” actually is. Many readers could portray this as a strength because it builds up the anticipation of what the twist in the story is. But I prefer knowing then going back to do some detective work of my own and piece together the information given.

Chandler’s “The Big Sleep” corresponds to the hard- boiled aspect of detection. In contrast to “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” the plot of this story is fast paced including many different issues tying into one another as the mystery unfolds. Although this story unravels at a faster rate then the classic detection story, it compares in strength as both stories assist the reader to visualize the setting. Placing it aside as a difference, Doyle provides his readers with extroverted detail where as Chandler is highly precise in his word choice and diction. Through his language he is able to create a vividly mental image of this hard edged setting for his readers. This includes the detail, imagery and metaphors he incorporates, which is another strength of Chandler’s writing. Chandler also creates an edgy, rough tone through the imagery of his metaphors as well. An example of a metaphor used in his descriptions is during his first meeting with the General, “The General spoke again, slowly, using his strength as carefully as an out-of-work show-girl uses her last good pair of stockings” (8). Chandler also incorporates his title “The Big Sleep”, which is a representation of the idea of death, into many of his metaphoric descriptions. When describing the plants in the greenhouse Chandler’s main character, Marlowe, states, “The plants filled the place, a forest of them, with nasty meaty leaves and stalks like the newly washed fingers of dead men” (7). Although Chandler’s writing has many strengths a minor weakness can be associated with the fact that since there is so much going on at times it can be hard to follow. Of course it is always keeping the readers at the edge of their seats with the fast paced plot but it is also easy for the reader to get a lost and have to refer back to the text.

In conclusion, there are a few differences between classic detection and hard-boiled detection. Classic detective fiction presents one main issue versus a hard boiled detective fiction story which provides several. Classic detection continues the idea of its slow paced plot throughout the entity of the story as well as extensive details whereas hard boiled detective fiction continues to flow at a rapid pace keeping their readers on the edge of their seats. Both genres portray strengths and negligible weaknesses but both are unique in their own way. Regardless of classic or hard boiled detection the mystery/mysteries presented keep the readers appealed, excited and curious as to the solution(s) of the stories.

__Important detective fiction elements presented in "The Murders in the Rue Morgue"__
 * Response Essay # 1: RE-WRITE (2nd Draft)**

What makes a short story profound? Interesting characters? An intense plot? Whatever it is, it does not have much time to develop such as a novel. However, in restricted space, Edgar Allan Poe establishes a brilliant, suspenseful, and mind boggling short story. “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” has often been referred to as the first modern detective story of the genre. Poe incorporates all the essential elements that detective fiction needs to develop into a triumphant story. The story includes a brilliant detective with added uniqueness to his character that indulges the reader into wanting to know more about him, a perplexing mystery and an outrageous ending. All of these elements correspond to my conception of what a successful detective and mystery fiction should be.

Allow me to explain the elements necessary for detective fiction that I have mentioned in my opening paragraph. In the beginning of this story Poe purposefully focuses on the discourse of analysis which introduces the inner workings of Dupin’s mind to his readers. The importance of his introduction coincides with the idea of solving a puzzle. Dupin’s character concentrates on getting inside the mind of his opponents, to always be two steps ahead which makes him very bright. So much so that he believes the police are incompetent and he knows more than they do. Dupin is observational, imaginative, thinks very logically, and simply does this type of work for amusement, which makes his character that much more interesting. The narrator states, “He seemed, too, take an eager delight in its exercise—if not exactly in its display—and did not hesitate to confess the pleasure thus derived” (6). This passage is insinuating that the mystery aspect of a crime, as well as having the challenge of ‘what was it’ and ‘whodunit’ is entertainment to Dupin. His methods follow that of a typical detective story such as gathering the facts and his personal investigations of the crime scene.

Developing the mystery with explicit detail is how Poe incorporates the important element of the mystery itself. After Poe establishes his character of Dupin, he moves to bringing in the facts of the case, Dupin’s investigation of the crime scene, how Dupin solved the mystery, and the ends the story with the sailor’s confirmation of Dupin’s solution. Poe writes with violent and appalling details of the murders that the reader cannot help but indulge into the question of who would commit such an awful crime. An example of his fierce detail is when Poe describes the account of the murders, “…where lay a corpse of the old lady, with her throat so entirely cut that, upon an attempt to raise her, the head fell off. The body as well as the head was fearfully mutilated—the former so much so as scarcely to retain any semblance of humanity” (9). Dupin engages in a voyage to find out the ‘whodunit’ whereas the reader joins him because we can’t help but to wonder as well.

As for the ending of the story Poe provides his readers with such a twist that it comes as such a shock when we find out who mutilated these two women. Although Poe presents the idea that the murderer is not a human about seven pages before the closing, “this hair is most unusual—this is no human hair” (23), it still baffles the readers mind when we find out it was an Ourang-Outang, an ape who escaped from the sailor who committed such murders. Authors and creators in detective fiction purposely throw in shocking twists to have the opportunity of tricking their readers. The murderer or perpetrator is never who we think it is which makes the element of the ‘mystery’ in detective fiction more appealing.

In accordance with many critics I concur in saying that this story is the first modern detective story. Poe presents three of the major necessary rudiments every good detective story should have, the mastermind detective, the crime/mystery itself, and the shocking conclusion to fascinate readers. “Murders in the Rue Morgue” correspond to what I personally believe the components of detective fiction should be. Having misguided the readers and striking them with such an ending is what detective fiction is all about. Poe demonstrates this quite well.


 * Response Essay # 2: RE-WRITE (2nd Draft)**

__ “A Jury of her Peers” vs. “Murders in the Rue Morgue” __ __ The differences among male and female detectives __ In the stories we’ve read we have experienced both male and female perspective of detective fiction through authors such as Poe and Glaspell. As readers we come to the realization of the differences among male and female detectives. Although the detectives in these stories share the common characteristic of being classified as a “detective” which shows a similarity, there are several differences in their nature of thinking. Men tend to reflect in a logical, more assertive sense, where women investigate the emotional aspect and portray more intuition and empathy in their findings. In Susan Glaspell’s “A Jury of her Peers”, it is the women to who take the stage and captivate the reader’s emotions. This feminist short story reveals a sisterhood that Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters can still manage to maintain and is manifested as a mysterious, small-town murder unfolds. In contrast, Edgar Allan Poe’s “Murders in the Rue Morgue” demonstrates the brilliant male detective, Dupin, who is superior to all of those around him, and solves a murder mystery with his analytical, logical, and imaginative capabilities. Two main ways women and men are divergent originates from the emotional levels portrayed. Women reveal sympathetic mannerisms as well as using their knowledge of other women which connects them on a personal level whereas men expose their lack of interest in emotions and only concerned about the hard facts.

Emotion which Glaspell and Poe exhibit, is a sympathetic feeling that strikes the character upon knowledge or vision of the crime scene. In “Jury” Glaspell depicts how both the male and female reactions differ, Mrs. Peters is quoted saying, ““Oh—her fruit,” she said, looking to Mrs. Hale for the sympathetic understanding. She turned back to the county attorney and explained: “She worried about that when it turned cold last night. She said the fire would go out and her jars might burst”” (162). Showing deep emotion, Mrs. Peters is concerned about Mrs. Wright while her husband’s reaction demonstrates complete opposite, “Mrs. Peters’ husband broke into a laugh. Well, can you beat the women! Held for murder, and worrying about her preserves!” (162). Mr. Peter’s has no interest in the way Mrs. Wright might be feeling but already accuses her of murder as he states that she is being “held for murder” (162). He seems to be unconcerned that there isn’t a motive or proof; in his eyes she is already guilty. Another example for the lack of sympathy from a male comes from Poe’s “Murders” although not from Poe’s main character, Dupin, but himself. Poe writes with explicit detail as if the woman victim who he describes so informally as “the old lady” is simply just another case, showing no compassionate sentiment at all. “…where lay a corpse of the old lady, with her throat so entirely cut that, upon an attempt to raise her, the head fell off. The body as well as the head was fearfully mutilated—the former so much so as scarcely to retain any semblance of humanity” (9). This passage presents the reader with a fierce detailed description of fact; what they presently observed. Not once does Poe write how “the party” who was investigating the crime scene reacted or felt upon entering that room where the deceased women layed.

Women sleuths can relate to other women on an emotional and personal level because they are able to compare their knowledge and experience as a female whereas men cannot. Glaspell once again provides her female protagonists with sincere sympathy as Mrs. Peters relates her own life experience to Mrs. Wright’s current situation.““When I was a girl,” said Mrs. Peters, under her breath, “my kitten—there was boy took a hatchet, and before my eyes—before I could get there--” She covered her face an instant. If they hadn’t held me back I would have”—she caught herself, looked upstairs where footsteps were heard, and finished weakly – “hurt him””(172). Glaspell connects this story from Mrs. Peters’ youth to that of putting her in Mrs. Wright’s shoes, looking at all angles, not necessarily blaming Mrs. Wright whether she is guilty or not. The men on the other hand are simply looking for evidence and a motive, in their eyes Mrs. Wright is already guilty. As for Dupin from “Murders” it seems that he has trouble making any personal connection to any of his cases because he does it partly for the amusement aspect of it all. The narrator who speaks of Dupin clarifies our notion of Dupin’s amusement in his work, he states, “He seemed, too, to take an eager delight in its exercise—if not exactly in its display—and did not hesitate to confess the pleasure thus derived (6).

Although I do prefer the women writers and their way of expressing the little details in their stories, the male writers have their own way of making their stories just as enjoyable to read. The graphic details can be a little bit disturbing but they add to the story just as the specific details that the women authors include in theirs matter. The significance of the differences presented by these authors is simply the comparison, and contrasts between the male and the female. If all writers wrote their stories the same, it would be unentertaining. Both Glaspell and Poe display their brilliant techniques in writing and although their stories are written from different viewpoints they both engage their reader in great mysteries.


 * Reponse Essay # 2: "Male and Female Detective Fiction Differences"**

__ “A Jury of her Peers” vs. “Murders in the Rue Morgue” __ __ The differences among male and female detectives __ Among the stories that we’ve previously read we had experienced both male and female perspective of detective fiction. Although the detectives in these stories share the common characteristic of being classified as a “detective” which shows a similarity, there are several differences in their nature of thinking. In Susan Glaspell’s “A Jury of her Peers”, it is the women to who take the stage and captivate the reader’s emotions. This feministic short story reveals a sisterhood that Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters can still manage to maintain and is manifested as a mysterious, small-town murder unfolds. In contrast, Edgar Allan Poe’s “Murders in the Rue Morgue” demonstrates the brilliant male detective, Dupin, who is superior to all of those around him, and solves a murder mystery with his analytical, logical, and deduction thinking strategies. Two main differences in the way women and men are divergent originates from the emotional levels portrayed, are the men just as sympathetic as the women? Or can the men relate themselves to the victim on a personal level?

The distinctive difference of emotion, in which both Glaspell and Poe exhibit is that sympathetic feeling that strikes the character upon knowledge or vision of the crime scene. In “Jury” Glaspell depicts how both the male and female reactions differ, ““Oh—her fruit,” she said, looking to Mrs. Hale for the sympathetic understanding. She turned back to the county attorney and explained: “She worried about that when it turned cold last night. She said the fire would go out and her jars might burst”” (162). Showing deep emotion, Mrs. Peters is concerned about Mrs. Wright while her husband’s reaction demonstrates complete opposite, “Mrs. Peters’ husband broke into a laugh. Well, can you beat the women! Held for murder, and worrying about her preserves!” (162). Another example for the lack of sympathetic emotion from the male counterpart comes from Poe’s “Murders” although not from Poe’s main character, Dupin, but of himself. Poe writes with a graphic tone as well as explicit detail as if the woman victim who he describes so informally as “the old lady” is simply just another case, showing no compassionate sentiment at all. “…where lay a corpse of the old lady, with her throat so entirely cut that, upon an attempt to raise her, the head fell off. The body as well as the head was fearfully mutilated—the former so much so as scarcely to retain any semblance of humanity” (9).

An additional distinction of how female sleuths differ from their male foil is that women can relate on an emotional and personal level whereas men are incapable. Glaspell once again provides her female protagonists with sincere sympathy as Mrs. Peters relates her own life experience to Mrs. Wright’s current situation.““When I was a girl,” said Mrs. Peters, under her breath, “my kitten—there was boy took a hatchet, and before my eyes—before I could get there--” She covered her face an instant. If they hadn’t held me back I would have”—she caught herself, looked upstairs where footsteps were heard, and finished weakly – “hurt him””(172). Glaspell connects this story from Mrs. Peters youth to that of putting her in Mrs. Wright’s shoes, looking at all angles, not necessarily blaming Mrs. Wright whether she is guilty or not. The men on the other hand are simply looking for evidence and a motive, in their eyes Mrs. Wright is already guilty. As for Dupin from “Murders” it seems that he has trouble making any personal connection to any of his cases because he does it partly for the amusement aspect of it all, “He seemed, too, to take an eager delight in its exercise—if not exactly in its display—and did not hesitate to confess the pleasure thus derived (6).

Although I do prefer the women writers and their way of expressing the little details in their stories, the male writers have their own way of making their stories just as enjoyable to read. The graphic details can be a little bit disturbing but they add to the story just as the little specific details that the women authors include in theirs matter. The significance of the differences presented by these authors is simply the comparison and contrasting factors between the male and the female. If all writers wrote their stories the same it would be unentertaining. Both Glaspell and Poe display their brilliant techniques in writing and although their stories are written from different viewpoints they both engage their reader in great mysteries.


 * Response Essay #1: "Murders in the Rue Morgue"**

Edgar Allan Poe's perception of the detective story in the 1840s, which is the idea of the “puzzle”, has often been referred to as one of the most essential characteristics of the genre. Does this mean that the notion of “game- play” takes away from the importance and significance of detective fiction as a literary piece? No, it simply defines a genre that indulges weakness in its reader’s and creates a deep desire for repeated doses of the typical elements to a detective story; a murder takes place, the detectives find suspects then narrow it down to one, who is defined as the murderer, and in the end the murderer is arrested or dies. Is it purely generating tales to be taken in and set aside like a finished crossword puzzle, or is there a profound meaning underneath the apparent satisfaction of solving a riddle within detective fiction?

A puzzle can be defined as ‘a problem designed to test ingenuity or knowledge’. In relation to Poe’s short story, “Murders in the Rue Morgue” as a reader, my opinion is that the enjoyment of detection fiction is based on the intellectual exercise of trying to solve the mystery before the end of the story, or to disentangle it before the detective does. In the beginning of this story Poe purposefully introduces Dupin to his readers. The importance of his introduction coincides with the idea of “game-play”. Dupin’s character concentrates on getting inside the mind of his opponents and into their thoughts, to always be two steps ahead which makes him brilliant. Poe also informs us that he is observational, thinks very logically, and does this for amusement, which make his characteristics that much more interesting. The narrator states, “He seemed, too, take an eager delight in its exercise—if not exactly in its display—and did not hesitate to confess the pleasure thus derived.” (6), insinuating that this is entertainment to Dupin. His methods follow that of a typical detective story such as gathering the facts and his personal investigations of the crime scene.

In accordance with many critics I concur in saying that this story is the first modern detective story. Poe presents all 4 of the major necessary rudiments every good detective story should have. The idea of the crime itself, which is clearly presented in the beginning of the story, as two women are murdered, is the first step of the mystery as the ineffectual police, Dupin, and the narrator try to find out what exactly happened. Another element presented is Dupin solving the case and in doing so he becomes superior to that of the police involved. Dupin gives the reader detailed descriptions of the facts in the case and the certain steps he follows in order to solve the murders, which is another key component in detective fiction. At the end of the story, Dupin solved the case and the sailor confirms Dupin’s allegations of what happened and who killed the women.

Poe demonstrates this idea of the puzzle and game in “Murders in the Rue Morgue” by having his main character, Dupin, think analytically in the mind of his adversary, he is in some ways testing and comparing the knowledge of his opponent to his own. This adds so much to the detective mystery world of literature and the endless possibilities of where the mind can travel. “Murders in the Rue Morgue” correspond to what I personally believe the components of detective fiction should be. Having misguided the readers into believing the murderer and search for him was that of man exceeded my expectations considering it turned out that an ape was the killer. Including such a twist as this, Poe definitely astonished his readers.