The two films we're watching this week and next are what I would call classic noirs. In addition to all the stylistic things we've seen (shadowy hallways and alleys, high-contrast lighting and B&W cinematography), they have noir narrative elements: Sleuths, femme fatales, charming villains, charming heroes who aren't all good, etc.
One of the common tropes of the noir is the sleuth. The sleuth is almost never a member of the police force. He's his own man. To start putting together the type of character that a sleuth is, I'd like you to describe Marlowe. What makes him the classic noir hero in the book so far?
He a classic nior hero because he honorable man who abides by a certain code or standard that he holds for himself. But at the same time he may go against his on standards to get the job done.
ReplyDeletePhilip Marlowe makes him the classic noir hero due to his charisma, grit, knowledge and hard hitting edge. Marlowe reminds me a lot of Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart in the sense and connection that all three men have a grit meaning they dont take bs from anyone. will finds ways to get the job done no matter what it takes and women will throw themselves at them but all three would play hard to get ; lone wolf type. Later on the philip marlowe character has progress in cinema for example Dirty Harry portrayed by Clint Eastwood. both men are outside the law and will do whatever it takes to get that job done. only difference Harry Callahan carries a gun and Philip Marlowe does not.
ReplyDeleteMarlowe is def. his own man in the book. He does things his own way without the help of police. For example, he goes and investigates Geigers place while doing so Geiger is killed and Carmen is drugged. he takes matters into his own hands and helps carmen home.He also keeps to himself. He doesnt tell anyone that he his looking for Reagan, or things he has uncovered to the police force which is Captain Gregory. In some way Marlowe is in control of the situation.
ReplyDeleteI think the moment where Marlowe says, "Yes. She'd make a jazzy week-end, but she'd be wearing for a steady diet," captures a lot about him. He captures his feelings about Vivian Regan in a funny and succinct way, he shows that he's not going to let a "dame" push him around. He also shows that he's not above talking about women among his comrades. Even though he and the captain are separated by a profession, literally by a desk, they have this connection, their somewhat derisive attitude toward women. However, they're also separated by their work ethic. The captain is clearly waiting around to retire. He doesn't care that he hasn't found Regan, seems kind of annoyed that Marlowe is asking him about it. Marlowe has a kind of compulsion to find out where Regan is. He hasn't even been hired to do that.
ReplyDeleteIs Marlowe the classic noir hero? I don't see much evidence to that so far in the reading. I see that he is a classic sleuth with his constant analysis of the people he meets. Familiar and unfamiliar. He trusts no one and operates solely based on his client's best interest. I do sense a bit of morality to him. How he won't discuss the general's wishes with his daughter, even though she very persistent he won't break that confidence. When Carmen was caught in the room with Geiger's body he ensures she gets home safely and only leaves her when he knows the female house attendant will be aiding her. Does he do that out of obligation to his client or just because its the right thing to do? I don't know but I don't consider him a hero
ReplyDeleteMarlowe has many characteristics that make him the typical classic noir hero. For starters he is introduced as the private detective for the General. Throughout the book Marlowe never struck me as evil however, I strike him to be mysterious in a sense. Many of his dialogue that he had with other characters in the noel was very straight to the point about the investigation. Since this book is narrated in first person, Marlowe's thoughts are completely different from his conversations. He's always very descriptive as well as aware of his surroundings when it comes to anyone he interacts with. I believe this is a way to never be surprised by anything that comes his way when it comes to the people that he is investigated. He's very persistent when it comes to solving any mystery that was thrown at him but i feel as if he does it in a way that he can get any information without any unnecessary trouble.
ReplyDeleteMarlowe: is his own man. he makes his rules as he goes and has his own moral codes. this is highly reminiscent of the classic hero. He is very self assured. you might think that as a detective he would understand the need for his own protection and yet he very rarely carries a gun. not entirely sure if that makes him careless or gutsy but he definitely does have guts as he has walks into potentially dangerous situations without a plan. he also has a very serious loner quality. regardless of who he meets; he hardly seems interested or rather his interest is fickle and fleeting. it comes and goes like he does. he has a very one track mind. doesn't veer off of his course unless he is under the impression that going off course would bring him more clarity.he isn't presumptuous. or i should say he makes a majority of his decisions based on what he perceives to be fact if he does not have all the facts he is very thorough when attempting to accumulate evidence. all of these attributes make him a great sleuth but in some cases it reminds me of Sherlock Holmes who worked this way partly because of his large scale intellect.
ReplyDeleteI believe that one of the aspects that makes Marlowe his "own man" can be found in the way he criticizes others. Being that the story is told through Marlowe's POV, that is 1st POV, we are privy to his every thought on those that he encounters. In chapter twenty, we read about Marlowe coming face to face with Captain Gregory, an officer with the Missing Persons Bureau. Marlowe and Captain Gregory are both in a similar work area, and as such, we as the reader would expect for Marlowe to have at least a little respect towards someone in his same career circle. Rather, Marlowe describes Captain Gregory in derogatory terms; "he was a burly man with tired eyes", "his voice was toneless, flat, and uninterested", "his office has the musty smell of years of routine"...
ReplyDeleteMarlowe is a man of his own worth. The man walks with purpose and always seems to be cool in any scenario (as the man has been at the hollow end of a pistol twice and shrug off both encounters as silly gestures). He's very analytical and descriptive. He gives off this i'm invincible mentality. He's cocky. He's no hero, He's just for hire, and that the money and client's health and wishes have more weight to him than police justice.
ReplyDeleteSleuth is another name for a detective which is exactly what Marlowe is. He is a definition of a real man; he's tall, drinks a lot, smokes and does whatever he wants. I believe that he is in fact a classic hero because he is so passionate about what he does. For example the scene when it was raining, he didn't even let that bother him he just continued with his work when most people would Just go home and try another day. He does what he has to do even if it means he has to go above and beyond. This book is his book, it's all about him and what we can see since we are viewing it from in his head so we see every little bit of the story even when he's drinking on his couch and we get the details of his drink being on a table beside him.
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