The Big Sleep, as we discussed last week, is about more than plot. It's about character development and about atmosphere. Sometimes, atmosphere is created by long descriptions of setting (it rains a lot in this novel as it does in all noirs). Sometimes, character is developed in long, aimless conversations (you can see that Quentin Tarantino was influenced by noir dialogue). Sometimes both are done simultaneously (like when Marlowe shows up at the car repair shop where Canino's hanging out (pp 184-189). I know we didn't all agree on the effectiveness of this literary approach when we discussed it last week, but let's discuss it some more on the blog this week regardless of your pov.
In addition, I would like you to reply after watching the film on Tuesday. Did Howard Hawks' adaptation match your idea of what the film would look like? Is Humphrey Bogart your idea of what Marlowe would be like or not? In what ways did the film change the novel for you? In what ways was it true to the original text?
The truth is that The Big Sleep is more than a plot. We get these sort of long descriptive sentences and even paragraphs that seem to go on and one stretching what we already know and stating something that literalkybcould be summed up in a few words to help us adapt to being in the novel as the protagonist. See if this level wantsbus to feel engaged, it's not going to give a full description and let it be because that wouldn't make us feel we know exactly what is going on or what the character sees. These long descriptions are to help the reader become more involved and feel apart of the novel. I believe it works beautiful because as the scenes are described very descriptively, I feel as though I know every little detail to imagine it in my head as if I'm there living it out. This helps not only bring the characters more alive but help us engage better.
ReplyDeleteChandler writes pulp like a poet. In the first sentence we're given an image of the city as a place of wetness and filth, the gutters running over w/ dirty water like the sewers have burst. The disgusting details of the bldg--the dirty spittoon, the sleeping elevator operator, the dentures hanging on the wall (what a weird detail!). I would argue that we shouldn't be surprised at all when, a few pages later, Harry Jones is poisoned. Of course, awful things are going to happen here.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion is that Atmosphere sets up the conflict or the meeting between character and character. When Marlowe meets the captain at the police station with the captain trying to verify marlowe's identity. gives the reader that the scene has comedic and serious tone. While the meeting between Marlowe and General Sternwood gives the reader a serious and business viewpoint.
ReplyDeleteThe long,aimless conversations and details do make this book feel noir. the film on tuesday was definitely a feel a noir. The main character holly was anti police force. we see this when the police men tell the femaine fatale to show her papers and he tells her" dont give him your papers!"so he was stand offish around the police just like Merlowe. Holly was also very calm even though the police is after him. just like melowe remainds calm..
ReplyDeleteThe setting in the Big sleep is really complex being that the entire novel takes places during the depression. Residing in Los Angles you would think that you would be reading about sunny days and palm trees when in-fact you are hit with the exact opposite. The area is constantly raining with a dark and dirty atmosphere. This type of setting is usually common throughout many mystery novel. Within this weather you do come encounter with the lavish lifestyles of mansions and casinos. The dark tone of LA emphasizes the cruel journey Marlow is on as the detective. Marlow finds his escape from this setting within his office. His office area is decorated with to a rich contempt, to allure him from the gritty outside world.
ReplyDeleteI can agree with Professor Talbird that Chandler started chapter 26 with almost a poetry-style writing. The detailed description sets us up for the mischief that is going to happen.
ReplyDeleteThe Big Sleep is an exciting film to watch, It is comedy, tricks are being played, people are disguised. Some foolish things happens just for it to be enjoyed. Put yourself in different scenes.
ReplyDeleteThe descriptive details of majority of the book helps set the tone of the novel. It allows the reader to get a feel of what Marlowe is internalizing as well as allowing the reader to get a good picture of the setting. I also believe that these details show how observant Marlowe is. If the novel was written with less details, I don't think the tone or the plot would be understood.
ReplyDeleteI've always seen Marlowe as a quick witted detective with seemingly enough confidence to walk in a room and act as if owns the scene (which he eventually does). Before the film I thought of Marlowe as on over-observant man due to his profession. But i also got the impression that even when in danger the man was managing to find some kind of enjoyment in it. Ir's admirable if not terrifying. In the movie, I surprisingly think Humprey Bogard's performance fits what I had in my head for Marlowe's. He's quick with his words and his atitude demands attention, he knows what he wants from people and wont stop until he gets what he wants. This book plays like a movie and this movie plays how it does in my mind.
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