Anna

As discussed in class, there are four major elements of detective fiction, which include; the commission of a crime or crimes or a disordered state of affairs, a professional or amateur detective figure who willingly or unwillingly attempts to solve the crime or restore order, a detailed description of the steps taken by the detective figure to solve the crime or restore order, and a form of justice meted out or order restored. Though these four elements describe detective fiction as a whole, readers must be aware that these elements are the only similarity between classical and hard-boiled fiction. These two branches have a plethora of differences, three including intellectual puzzle vs. moral dilemma, detective as detached observer vs. detective actively involved, and sexless vs. emphasis on sex/masculinity/machismo. Many of the stories we have read in class actively portray these differences, two being //A Scandal in Bohemia// and //The Maltese Falcon.//
 * Response Three **

In //A Scandal in Bohemia,// Holmes and Watson are asked by the King of Bohemia to retain a photograph from his youth, a photograph with one Irene Adler. Holmes, like any classic detective, used his skills to solve the intellectual puzzle of where Ms. Adler had the photograph hidden. Explaining how the plan of the fake fire would shot Holmes where the photograph was, he reasons “When a women thinks her house is on fire her instinct is to at once rush to the thing she values the most…she responded beautifully” (16). The plan did not end the way Holmes hoped due to the fact that Ms. Adler caught on, however, the puzzle was solved when a picture was recovered with a letter that stated “…your client may rest in piece…I keep it (the photo) to only safeguard myself…”(18-19). Even though Holmes’ intellectual puzzle was not solved the way he wanted it, it demonstrates classic detective fiction because Holmes used observation, not just looking. //The Maltese Falcon// on the other hand is a classic example of hard-boiled fiction, especially with the representation of the moral dilemma. Detective Sam Spade is enlisted by multiple people to find a precious figure of a Maltese Falcon. While Sam finds the figure, he is faced with a dilemma, turn in Ms. O’Shaughnessy, the women he loves for the murder of his partner or stay loyal to his client. Sam, like any hard-boiled detective decides to stay loyal to him, telling Ms O’Shaughnessy, “I’m not Thursby. I’m not Jacobi. I won’t play the sap for you” (212) and by telling Tom ““Here’s another for you” Spade pressed the girl forward. “She killed Miles”” (215). Although torn with the decision, Sam stayed true to him through the dilemma, even if it did cost him the women he loves.

Holmes and Spade did not only differ in the type of detective cases they solve, but also the involvement in which they had in the case. Holmes, as well as other classic detectives, have little involvement in the case by being detached observes. Holmes shadowed Ms. Adler and talked to the King to solve the case, but kept his distance by not being seen. Spade and other hard-boiled detectives take a different method-being actively involved in every detail of the case. Spade had frequent contact with all his clients, making deals, visiting each other at their apartments, and even mixing business with pleasure. Holmes’ method gets the job accomplished smoothly while Spade’s method adds to the moral dilemma he faces.

The final difference between the detectives and their genres is the issue of sexual innuendos. Classic detection and Holmes are sexless; the only reference to women is in clients. We as readers get a glimpse at Holmes’ feelings when he asks to keep the photo of Irene Adler; however,we are not clear if he wants to keep it because he likes her or wants to be reminded of the fact that he was outsmarted by a women. Hard-boiled detection and Spade place an emphasis on sex, as exemplified when Ms. O’Shaughnessy asked Spade if she could pay him with her body and their detailed sexual relationship.

Whether Holmes, Spade and other classic or hard-boiled detectives are solving intellectual puzzles, faced with moral dilemmas, actively involved in a case, are a detached observer, are sexless, or have an emphasis on sex, they use the four major elements to solve their cases. Classic and hard-boiled detective fictions have their differences, their own strengths and their own weaknesses; however, it is solely the reader’s preference as to which they prefer and what these strengths and weaknesses are. Response Two- ** Since the beginning of time, men and women had their differences. Women were the homemakers while the men were the bread-winners. With the Women’s Rights Movement in the 1920s, women were granted the opportunity to join the men in a variety of different jobs, such as being detectives. Although men and women were equal in the workforce, they had their differences with detective skills. Male detectives, for example, were thinking machines, consummate analyzers, men of science, shrewd game players, and were not swayed by emotion. Female sleuths, on the other hand were emotional, sympathetic, intuitive, knowledgeable about women’s lives, and observant of their communities. Though men and women detectives had their differences, they are significant to the way that we are taught detective fiction.
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We have read many short stories in class that have demonstrated the difference between male detectives and female sleuths; two include //The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes // and //A Jury of Her Peers. // In //Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Speckled Band //, Doyle continues to describe Holmes and Watson, two men who are analyzers and thinking machines. On their adventure to figure out a murder, Holmes and Watson use clues, such as locked windows, a ventilator, a nailed down bed, and a fake bell to analyze that the murders were committed by someone in the next room, before Holmes even entered the room. As quoted by Holmes to exemplify that male detectives are thinking machines and consummate analyzers, “I had, come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from insufficient data” (58). This differs from Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters who showed sympathy and emotion to solve the murder of Mr. Wright, talking about how they felt sorry for how Mrs. Wright was being treated, how she was like a caged bird.

Holmes, Watson and the other male detectives we have read also refer to themselves as men of science, shrewd game players, and ones who are not swayed by softer emotions in solving a mystery. All of these characteristics are exemplified in //Sherlock Holmes: A Scandal in Bohemia. // Holmes showed that he was a man of science when he used observation in figuring out who wrote the note requesting help. Holmes also used his love of going undercover to play shrewd games with Irene Adler and was not swayed by emotion when he tricked her into telling him where the picture was hidden. Unlike the male detectives we read about, the female sleuths used their intuition, their knowledge about women’s lives, and observations of their communities. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters used these skills to solve the murder of Mr. Wright. While the men were using their own detective skills, the women really looked at the trifles, such as the way the kitchen was left, the bird cage, and the sewing, to come up with a solution. Mrs. Hale is reminded of the way she left her own kitchen when she came across a half full paper bag of sugar, realizing that Mrs. Wright must have been distracted by something, showing the readers that Mrs. Hale is knowledgeable about Mrs. Wright’s life. When Mrs. Peters ran across the bird cage but no bird, the women used their intuition to determine that the cage is related to the murder.

Though men and women detectives have their differences, they are significant to the way we are taught detective fiction. Knowing the differences give students a different point of view on how to solve a case, whether it be fictional or real. The knowledge of these differences also gives a glimpse into the way men and women think, and show that there is no shame in having different methods of getting something done. Men and women have had their differences since the first day on Earth; in the home, in society, and in their jobs. With the Women’s Rights Movement of the 1920s, women were granted access into the men’s work field. As women became detectives, differences still continued to separate them from men. Male detectives were thinking machines, consummate analyzers, men of science, shrewd game players, and were not swayed by emotion, as exemplified in //The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. // //A Jury of Her Peers //, however, showed that female sleuths were emotional, sympathetic, intuitive, knowledgeable about women’s lives, and observant of their communities. Regardless, these differences are significant in the way detective fiction is taught.

Secret passages, hidden clues, intellectual puzzles, evil villains, and a handsome detective dressed in a tan trench coat and a deerstalker cap smoking a pipe. This image is what comes to mind when one thinks of a character from a detective fiction story. When I first started reading Edgar Allan Poe’s 1841 “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”, I honestly did not know what to expect. The only detectives that I associate with are “Sherlock Holmes” and the detectives from “Law and Order”. Believing that nothing can top the “Sherlock Holmes” stories, I was skeptical as to why most critics consider “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” to be the first modern detective story. After finishing the story, I now understand, and agree with the critics regards of Poe’s story.
 * Response One-**

As we discussed in class, there are four major elements that must be met for a story to be considered detective fiction, which include, the commission of a crime or crimes or a disordered state of affairs, a professional or amateur detective figure who willingly or unwillingly attempts to solve the crime or restore order, a detailed description of the steps taken by the detective figure to solve the crime or restore order, and some form of justice meted out or order restored; “Murders” has these elements. From pages eight to fourteen of the story, the audience is given a detailed description of the fact of the case. While done through newspaper articles, the audience is informed that Madame L’Espanaye and her daughter Mademoiselle Camille L’Espanaye were murdered in their four story home in the Rue Morgue. This complies with the first major element of detective fiction. The second major element is met with Dupin’s quote on page fourteen, “...An inquiry (of the murders) will afford us amusement”.

A detailed description of the steps taken by the detective figure to solve the crime, the third major element, is met through Dupin’s investigation of the crime scene and his solution. Starting on page sixteen going all the way through page twenty-five, Dupin explains how he solved the crime. He put the clues together from the newspaper articles which all stated that they heard a voice that was foreigner, the knotted ribbon, small detail of the nail, and the nonhuman hair to discover that the murder was not human, but rather an “…Ourang-Outang of the Bornese species. The owner (who is ascertained to be a sailor, belonging to a Maltese vessel)…” (pg. 24). While justice is not meted out in the way the reader thinks-the sailor sold the Ourang-Outang for a profit, justice is met and order is restored, which not only closes “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”, but also is the last major element required for a story to be considered detective fiction.

As I began to read “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”, I was hesitant as to why critics believe that it is the first modern detective story. Upon finishing the story, however, I understand what the critics mean. Poe kept the audience guessing what would happen next, giving hidden clues and an intellectual puzzle for the audience to figure out. Even though Poe tricked and surprised his audience as to whom the //animal // was who committed the murders, the story exceeds my notion of what detective and mystery fiction is or should be; its not about the look of the detective or the secrete passages, but rather an intellectual puzzle to be solved using the four major elements. I can now fully agree with the critics in saying “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” is the first modern detective story.