StephanieC

Detective Fiction Standing the Test of Time

Literature just like any other form of entertainment needs to continually progress in order to continue to captivate readers, and in the 1920’s and 30’s that is exactly what hard-boiled detection did. Hard-boiled detection provided us with an edge of the seat, jaw dropping, scandalous story behind the classic mystery. Stories such as; __The Maltese Falcon__ and __Devil in a Blue Dress__ differs from the originals, “Murders in the Rue Morgue” by not only toughening up the plot but the detectives as well. These “hard-boiled” detectives were placed in new situations that involved day to day violence, sex and the dark streets.

Unlike classic detectives, hard-boiled detectives were smooth, charismatic, witty and able to duel at a moments notice. Their lives took place on the dark streets and moved from dilemma to dilemma. These detectives such as Sam Spade and Easy Rawlins came a long way as far as character development from Poe’s, Dupin. Hard-boiled detection keeps its reader on the edge of his/her seat with a continuous threat around every corner. Easy in __Devil in a Blue Dress__ seemed to not even be able to get a night’s sleep due to the constant action. Every time you think he will get a minute to think about his next step he is bombarded with a new dilemma such as; Albright breaking into his house or Daphne Monet waking him in the middle of the night. These situations parallel Spades in __The Maltese Falcon__, for example; being woken in the middle of the night to learn of his partner’s death and coming home to Cairo and his men having broken into his house as well. These detectives were not safe on the street or in their own home, unlike in “Murders in the Rue Morgue” Dupin was able to take his time solving the mystery and his life was not threatened.

Hard-boiled detection introduced us to violence in these types of stories. Easy Rawlins could have been killed numerous times through out the novel. He is also put in dangerous situations by being asked to enter white neighborhoods because blacks at the time were not allowed. Although __The Maltese Falcon__ did not deal with a segregated America Spade did encounter danger every time he left his apartment; from the watchman outside his building to being followed by enemies every step of the way. Classic detection did not involve the sleuth or detective in the action of the mystery. A classic mystery, “A Jury of Her Peers” was a basic who-dun-it mystery where looking for evidence and figuring out what to do when it was found was the biggest problem they encountered.

While hard-boiled detection contained edgier language it also introduced sex and sexuality to detective fiction. Both, __The Maltese Falcon__ and __Devil in a Blue Dress__ had femme fetale’s. Hard-boiled fiction portrayed women in a new light. These femme fetale’s made the reader question which side they were on, they played duel roles, good and evil. Their characters were irresistibly sexy and a huge change from the women as victims in classic detection. Aside from beautiful manipulating women, these stories did not tip-toe around sex. The thought of sex in a classic mystery would have been considered outlandish in the time of classic mysteries yet the whole basis of hard-boiled detection in pushing limits and being as risky as possible.

Hard-boiled detection changed classic detection into something that interests today’s readers. As entertainment and literature has changed detective fiction needed to keep up or it would have become a lost art due to lack of interest and it succeeded. Hard-boiled detection keeps readers gasping and shocked through language, sex, violence and the dark, shady atmosphere it all takes place in.

 revision Women vs. Men Sleuths Women sleuths differ from their male counterparts through the sheer, raw emotion they posses, such as empathy and compassion. “A Jury of Her Peers” is a short story which exemplifies each of these traits. Women are able to solve mysteries by taking time to investigate while their counterparts strive for a quick solution through science.

Women detectives lack the sense of competition that male detectives obtain with one another and outside sources, therefore they are left with more time and concentration to find all types of evidence and clues that can lead them to their answer. In “A Jury of Her Peers” Mr. Hale states, “women are used to worrying over triffles” (162). Although Mr. Hale means to insult and minimize the intelligence of women he actually brings to light a positive, unique quality women exhibit. We learn that by fussing “over triffles” the women in this story find the one piece of evidence that can convict the suspected. By being able to relate to others in “A Jury of Her Peers,” Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters are able to view the suspect, Minnie as not an incompetent house-wife but a disturbed woman. They learn this when they notice the half clean table and other unfinished chores. Mrs. Peters also shows empathy for Minnie when she exclaimed she understands the “stillness” Minnie feels (173). By saying this she implies that she understand why Minnie has done such a thing. A male sleuth would not be able to relate to the “stillness” Mrs. Peters speaks of nor would they has picked up on the unfinished housework as being an important part of the case. Male sleuths rarely show compassion to those involved in a crime unless if benefits them. For example in __Devil in a Blue Dress,__ Easy has a relationship with all that are involved in the mystery but only because they all offer him money and a new job to complete. Another way female detectives differ from their male counterparts is the absence of certain qualities such as being egotistical and proud. Male detectives would not keep their conquest to themselves how the women in “A Jury of Her Peers” had. We have learned in past readings such as __Murders in the Rue Morgue__, which is important for male detectives to display their victory to show their superiority over others and especially the police. In “A Jury of Her Peers,” the women show compassion in numerous ways. Firstly Mrs. Hale repeats many times how she regrets not visiting Minnie more often in the recent past. By saying this she almost puts some of the blame of the murder on herself by believing her presence would have prevented her old friend from being in such a bad state. Instead of proving that they outsmarted their husbands the women protect a neighbor.

By comparing the women in “A Jury of Her Peers” to previously read male sleuths we are able to understand the differences between male and female detectives. Male sleuths are in competition with other and it quickly turns into a game with faceless, nameless victims and suspects. Where, on the other hand women use their instincts, emotions and their natural quality of nurturing and caring for others to help them solve cases. In the end the men in “A Jury of Her Peers” would have eventually solves the case but would have never understood her motive because they are unable to relate to others.

Women vs. Men Sleuths Women sleuths differ from their male counterparts through the sheer, raw emotion they obtain, such as empathy compassion and by being able to relate to the victim and suspect. __A Jury of Her Peers__ is a short story which amplifies each of these traits. Women are able to solve mysteries through instinct whereas their counterparts would through science.

Women detectives are able to relate to the emotions and motives of the suspects over their male counterparts. In __A Jury of Her Peers__ Mr. Hale states, “women are used to worrying over triffles” (162). Although Mr. Hale meant to insult and minimize the intelligence of women he actually made clear a positive, unique quality women obtain. We learn that by fussing “over triffles” the women in this story find the one piece of evidence that will convict the suspected when trying to be kind and provide the suspect with something to occupy her time in jail. Men sleuths rarely show compassion to the suspected especially if it does not benefit them. Where as women would use this tactic because it is innate and it could possibly bring the relationship between the two closer and help solve the case. Women sleuths use a quality their male counterparts would see as negative to their advantage. By being able to relate to others in __A Jury of Her Peers__, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters are able to view the suspect, Minnie as not an incapable house-wife but a disturbed woman. They learn this when they notice the half clean table and other unfinished chores. Mrs. Peters also shows empathy for Minnie when she exclaimed she understands the “stillness” Minnie feels (173). By saying this she implies that she understand why Minnie has done such a thing. A male sleuth would not be able to relate to the “stillness” Mrs. Peters speaks of nor would they has picked up on the unfinished housework as being an important part of the case.

Compassion is a quality exhibited by female sleuths and as per our previous readings, and not males. Male detectives are usually proud and egotistical. They would not keep their conquest to themselves, with the possibility to protect and defend another. We have learned in past readings such as __Murders in the Rue Morgue__, which is important for male detectives to display their victory to show their superiority over others and especially the police. In __A Jury of Her Peers__, the women show compassion in numerous ways. Firstly Mrs. Hale repeats many times how she regrets not visiting Minnie more often in the recent past. By saying this she almost puts some of the blame of the murder on herself by believing her presence would have prevented her old friend from being in such a bad state. Another form of compassion is when the women keep their findings to themselves, instead of turning the solving of the case is to a competition with their husbands. They keep their information to themselves to protect a woman they feel sorry for.

By comparing Dupin and Mrs. Hale and Peters is a perfect understanding of the differences between male and female sleuths. Male sleuths are in competition with other and it quickly turns into a game with faceless, nameless victims and suspects. Where, on the other hand women use their instincts, emotions and their natural quality of nurturing and caring for others to help them solve cases. In the end the men in __A Jury of Her Peers__ would have come to the same conclusion as the women but they would have never understood her motive because they are unable to relate to others.

__Un-relatable Poe__

dissociates the reader

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