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Essay #4- Second Draft

Detective stories have not only appeared in print, but have been appearing on the big screen since the 1930s. Detective fiction in print allows you to be the one that creates the characters and settings while with detective fiction on film you see someone else’s interpretation of the story. The transition from print to film has been done successfully. Detective fiction in print has been traced back as far as the 1800s with Poe creating the structure for the modern detective story. Although detection in print has been around much longer, detection on film has brought new light and even a new generation of fans to this fascinating genre. In print and on film are both great ways to enjoy detective fiction. Many fans of detective fiction debate on which is the better way it is perceived. Although each has done so much for the genre each possess strengths and weaknesses such as the length and the interpretation, which I will elaborate more on in this paper.

Detective fiction in print has been around long before the film. It has been the source of entertainment for readers looking for a good read a mystery to solve. There have been several important authors to the genre, including Poe, Hammett, Doyle, and Chandler to name a few. Several authors’ works have also made the transition from print to film, including Walter Mosley and Raymond Chandler. Walter Mosley, who wrote __Devil in a Blue Dress__, helped produced the film version of his famous book. Raymond Chandler helped with film adaptation of Cain’s, __Double Indemnity__. Although the transition has been ultimately successful there are a few negative aspects of transitioning from print to film. One of the negative aspects involves the expectations of the reader. When the reader has interpreted the novel in her or his way and sees it on film it may not be what they expected. With print, the reader is the creator and can determine how each character looks, sounds, and acts. The film version of the book is simply someone’s interpretation of the book and not everyone has the same interpretation. For example, in __The Maltese Falcon__, I did not see the story as being as comedic as it was in the film. This, however, was a very pleasant surprise. I really enjoyed that aspect of the film. Another huge concern for the transition from print to film is the crucial time frame that films must meet. This can cause scenes from the novel to be cut or shortened. This can be a disappointment to the reader because a scene they may have enjoyed may be the one that gets cut. An example would be in the novel of __The Maltese Falcon__. Dashiell wrote a scene with Rhea, Gutman’s daughter, and in the film version it was cut. Not only are scenes cut, but the sexuality in earlier films are limited due to censorship. You do not see any sexual encounters in __The Maltese Falcon__, but it is understood that Spade and Brigid have a relationship.

The way the story is told also differs from print to film. An example would be in __The Maltese Falcon__ when to show the major headlines in the novel the director uses several newspaper clippings rather than have someone say it. Also in __Double Indemnity__ Walter is the narrator of the story when he leaves his confession for his boss Walter. I believe this is a huge positive for film. I find it very interesting to see how the director of the movie is going to tell the story. Also seeing something from someone else’s point-of-view can be a plus. This is a plus because it is good to see how someone else may interpret something from the way you do. When writing detective fiction the author include anything he or she may want to, such as sexual encounters and violent crimes, but on film the director needs to keep that to a minimum due to censorship. A huge positive for detective fiction in film is that you can get a more vivid view of the relationships and the crime that has been committed. The way the crime was done is a huge advantage for print. The author can get more descriptive and this allows you to view it in your mind anyway you want. Your mind does not get censored. In film the director can only show so much before the director is told it needs to be taken out. Another positive for print is that print is not given a specific time frame to tell the story. Print can put as much as they want and write as much, while film has to meet a time slot. With not having a time permitted the author can use more descriptive language and include more scenes to get a better understanding of the characters.

If I had to choose between film and print I would choose print. I really like watching the movies, but print allows more description. It also gives me the opportunity to interpret the story my way. I really loved how we were able to read the book and watch the movie in class. It, not only gave me the opportunity to see the story from another person’s point-of-view, but also allowed me to get a better understanding of the story. I would definitely do both, but the only reason I personally, would choose print over film because print does not have to meet a time frame and can be as descriptive as possible. Also print is not censored. I really enjoyed watching the movies to see the way the detectives acted. I loved Bogart’s character. I think he did an excellent job of portraying Spade in __The Maltese Falcon.__ Not only was Spade’s character very well done, so was Cairo’s. I think the casting director does an excellent job with the casting. My expectations were definitely met with Bogart, but I did not even picture Cairo like that. My expectations of Cairo were definitely exceeded.

In conclusion, print and film have both been very crucial to the success of the detective genre. It has recruited several different fans. They both depict the stories well. Although print may have a bit more of an advantage with descriptive language and unlimited time, film does a great job at transitioning it to the big screen. The way we were able to experience the great stories in detective fiction has really helped me appreciate the genre a lot more. The opportunity we received as the reader to see the film version as well was definitely very helpful and beneficial. It was interesting to see if the film versions were anything like the way I pictured the novels.

Essay #3- Second Draft Anna Petrosky

Hard-boiled detection is defined as a tough unsentimental style of American crime writing that brought a new tone of earthy realism or naturalism to the field of detective fiction. “Hard-boiled fiction uses graphic sex and violence, vivid but often sordid urban backgrounds, and fast-paced, slangy dialogue” (New Encyclopedia Britannica). This definition accentuates the major differences between classic and hard-boiled detection. Hard-boiled eggs are hard, so are the detectives found in the hard-boiled detective stories, hence the name, hard-boiled (Wikipedia). Classic detection began in the 1800s and it wasn’t until the 1920s that hard-boiled detection made its debut (Wikipedia). Carroll John Daily is said to be the creator of hard-boiled detection while Dashiell Hammett made it popular (Wikipedia). The famous Raymond Chandler refined it to what we know today (Wikipedia). The major differences between it and classic detection that I will be focusing on include sexuality, violence, language, and the detective persona.

Sex and violence are a huge aspect of hard-boiled detection. It is evident that hard-boiled detectives have personalities that exude sexuality and confidence. They play the alpha male role in detective fiction. Classic detective stories usually do not focus on sexuality; the stories are more focused on the case itself. However, the plot is different in hard-boiled detection. An example would be in Hammett’s, __The Maltese Falcon__. Hammett stresses the sexual relationship that Spade and Brigid share. Hammett also shows how Spade’s partner Archer lusts after Brigid. Archer says, “Maybe you saw her first, Sam, but I spoke first” (10). Archer is representing the male, sexual persona that is so popular amongst hard-boiled detection. Hammett also makes several references to homosexuality with Cairo and to the infidelity between Spade and Archer’s wife, Iva. The feminine in Cairo helps accentuate the masculinity in Spade. Hard-boiled detection epitomizes society’s expectations of men. The detectives are tough, sexual, confident, and in control. There are several different sexual relationships in, __The Maltese Falcon,__ such as the relationship between Iva and Spade, Brigid and Spade, Spade and Effie, just to name a few.

Violence is another key aspect in hard-boiled detection. Throughout __The Maltese Falcon__ readers find several different encounters with violence. Spade slaps around Cairo several times and there is the tussle between Wilmer and Spade. Another distinction is that the detective usually has a confrontation with the criminal. An example is in, “Murder in the Automat” when Nelson goes up against Avram’s wife. Nelson says, describing his encounter with her, “…Then I switched cups on her. She’s up there now, dead. I can’t say that I wanted it that way, but it was me or her” (264-265). This is when Mrs. Avram tries to poison Nelson’s coffee, but he is already onto her and switched the cups. Classic detection does not focus on the violence, but rather on the case and its solution while hard-boiled does the opposite.

One of the most prominent distinctions between classic and hard-boiled detection is the lingo and the way the detective works alone. Hard-boiled detection uses language that is more to the point. The use of descriptive words is reduced to a minimum. The detective has an overly-confident, macho persona and speaks very bluntly. An example would be in “The Murder at the Automat.” Nelson, the detective, is asking Avram’s wife if she has any children. He says, “You’ve got kids, have you?” (251). This shows the way the detectives tend to speak in hard-boiled detection.

Classic and hard-boiled detection have many differences and these differences show the weaknesses and strengths each genre possesses. The language in classic detection is very descriptive and this may be very beneficial to the reader because it allows the reader to get a better picture of what is going on. However, even though the language can be a strength for classic detection, it can also be a weakness. With all the descriptive language, classic detection can be harder to follow. The detectives in both genres are definitely a strength. To put a detective found in classic detection, such as Auguste Dupin, in a hard-boiled plot the detective will not seem to fill the shoes of the hard-boiled because they come off as an over-confident, sexual detective and classic detectives just aren’t that.

In conclusion, classic and hard-boiled detection differ greatly. They may both have the same goal in the end, but the detective, the plot, and the relationships with the other characters in the story ultimately separate them. Both genres have weaknesses and strengths. The language in hard-boiled detection is great. Classic and hard-boiled both have crimes that need to be solved and the way the detective does it, is what makes them different. Classic detection offers a partner as opposed to hard-boiled detectives who tend to work alone. Most classic detections are told through the eyes of the partner; reasonable hard-boiled is written in the first person. If I had to choose between the two I definitely would not be able to. Out of the stories we read in class I find myself interested in different stories. I love “Murder at the Automat,” but also love “The Adventure of the Speckled Band,” and the “Murders in the Rue Morgue.” I guess it all depends on how the author incorporates the plot and the detective. If the story is written with a great plot, such as the one in Doyle’s, “The Adventure of the Speckled Band,” and holds a great detective, such as Spade and Holmes, it makes the story interesting. The plot and detective is ultimately what makes the story admirable. Works Cited "Hardboiled - Detection." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2009. []. Ralph, Willett. "Ralph Willett, Hard-Boiled Detective Fiction." //British Association for American Studies//.  N.p., n.d. Web. 10 June 2009. . 

Essay #4- Film v. Print: First Draft Anna Petrosky

Detective fiction has not only been printed, but has been put on the big screen. Detective fiction in print allows you to be the one that creates the characters and settings while detective fiction on film you see someone else’s interpretation of the story. The transition from print to film has been done successfully. Detective fiction in print has been traced back as far as the 1800s with Poe creating the structure for the modern detective story. Detective fiction on film has been around more recent. Although in print it has been around much longer, on film has brought new light and even a new generation of fans to this fascinating genre. In print and on film are both great ways to interpret detective fiction. The preference of which is better all depends on the person. Each type has its strengths and weaknesses. These include the length and interpretation.

Detective fiction in print has been around long before the film. It has been the source of entertainment for readers looking for a good read and trying to solve a mystery. There have been several important authors to the genre including Poe, Hammett, Doyle, and Chandler to name a few. Several authors have also made the transition from print to film including Walter Mosley and Raymond Chandler. Walter Mosley, who wrote __Devil in a Blue Dress__, helped produced the film version of his infamous book. Raymond Chandler helped with his adaptation of the film on Cain’s, __Double Indemnity__. It is inevitable that a great book will become a famous movie. This could possibly be done to recruit a new generation of fans. Although the transition has been ultimately successful there are a few negative aspects. One of the negative aspects includes the expectations of the reader. When the reader has interpreted the novel in their way and sees it on film it may not be what they expected. With print you are the creator and can determine how each character looks, sounds, and acts. The film version of the book is simply someone’s interpretation of the book and not everyone has the same interpretation. For example, in __The Maltese Falcon__, I did not see the story as being as comedic as it was in the film. This, however, was a very pleasant surprise. I really enjoyed that aspect of the film. Also with having to meet a crucial time frame the film may cut out points in the story they may not think is as important as others. The novels are very descriptive and the films do not need to do that because you see the characters and settings for yourself. This can be a negative aspect because the director may cut a scene from the novel that you may have enjoyed. An example would be in the novel of __The Maltese Falcon__ they had a scene with Rhea, Gutman’s niece, and in the film version it was cut. Not only are scenes cut, but the sexuality in the film is limited due to censorship. You do not see any sexual encounters in __The Maltese Falcon__, but it is understood that Spade and Brigid has a relationship.

The way the story is told also differs from print to film. An example would be in __The Maltese Falcon__ when to show the major headlines in the novel they used a newspaper clipping to show it. Also in __Double Indemnity__ they used Walter’s confession as the narrator of the story. I believe this is a huge positive for film. I find it very interesting to see how the director of the movie is going to tell the story. Also seeing something from someone else’s point-of-view can be a plus. This is a plus because it is good to see how someone else may interpret something from the way you do. When writing detective fiction the author can be sure to include any information they may want to such as sexual encounters and violent crimes, but on film they need to keep that to a minimum due to censorship. That is a huge positive for detective fiction in film is that you can get a more vivid view of the relationships and the crime that has been committed. The way the crime was done is a huge way that print can do better. They can get more descriptive and this allows you to view it in your mind anyway you want. Your mind does not get censored. In film they can only show so much before they are told it needs to be taken out. Another thing that print can do better than film is the time allotted. Print can put as much as they want and write as much, while film has to meet a time slot. With not having a time permitted you can use more descriptive language and include more scenes to get a better understanding of the characters.

If I had to choose between film and print I would choose print. I really like watching the movies, but if I had to choose it would be print because it allows it to be more descriptive. It also gives me the opportunity to interpret the story my way. I really loved how we were able to read the book and watch the movie in class. It, not only gave me the opportunity to see the story from another person’s point-of-view, but also allowed me to get a better understanding of the story. I would definitely do both, but the only reason I would choose print over film is because print does not have to meet a time frame and can be as descriptive as possible. Also print is not censored. I really enjoyed watching the movies to see the way the detectives acted. I loved Bogart’s character. I think he did an excellent job of portraying Spade in __The Maltese Falcon.__ Not only was Spade’s character very well done, so was Cairo’s. I think they did an excellent job with the casting. My expectations were definitely met with Bogart, but I did not even picture Cairo like that. My expectations of Cairo were definitely exceeded.

In conclusion, print and film have both been very crucial to the success of the detective fiction genre. It has recruited several different fans. They both help tell the creative stories. Although print may have a bit more of an advantage, film does a good job at its translations. With mostly every great book comes a film. The way we were able to experience the great stories in detective fiction has really helped me appreciate the genre a lot more. I loved how we read the story then saw the film. It really was interesting to see another interpretation and compare it to the novels.

Essay #3- REVISED Anna Petrosky Hard-boiled detection is defined as a tough unsentimental style of American crime writing that brought a new tone of earthy realism or naturalism to the field of detective fiction. “Hard-boiled fiction uses graphic sex and violence, vivid but often sordid urban backgrounds, and fast-paced, slangy dialogue” (New Encyclopedia Britannica). The definition alone accentuates the major differences between classic and hard-boiled detection. Hard-boiled eggs are hard, so are the detectives found in the hard-boiled detective stories (Wikipedia). Classic detection began in the 1800s and it wasn’t until the 1920s that hard-boiled detection made its debut (Wikipedia). Carroll John Daily is said to be the creator of hard-boiled detection while Dashiell Hammett made it popular (Wikipedia). The famous Raymond Chandler refined it to what we know today (Wikipedia). The major differences between the two types of detection that I will be focusing on include sexuality, violence, language, and the detective. Not only will I focus on the differences, but the strengths and weaknesses between the two. This includes: the effect of the language, the detectives’ persona, and the sexuality.

Sex and violence are a huge aspect of hard-boiled detection. It is evident that hard-boiled detectives have personalities that show sexuality and confidence. The roles they play in detective fiction are the alpha-male persona that society has portrayed. Classic detective stories usually do not focus on sexuality; the stories are more focused on the case itself. However, the plot is different in hard-boiled detection. An example would be in Hammett’s, __The Maltese Falcon__. Hammett illustrates the sexual relationship that Spade and Brigid share. Hammett also shows how Spade’s partner Archer lusts after Brigid. Archer says, “Maybe you saw her first, Sam, but I spoke first” (10). Archer is a married man who seems to be lusting after another woman. This shows how sexuality is a big part of hard-boiled detection. Hammett also makes several references to homosexuality with Cairo and the infidelity between Spade and Archer’s wife, Iva. The feminity in Cairo helps accentuate the masculinity in Spade. Hard-boiled detection epitomizes society’s portrayal of men. They are tough, sexual, confident, and in control. There are several different sexual relationships in, __The Maltese Falcon,__ such as the relationship between Iva and Spade, Brigid and Spade, Spade and Effie, just to name a few. Spade uses cute names and hits on her.

Violence is another huge aspect in hard-boiled detection. Throughout __The Maltese Falcon__ readers find several different encounters with violence. Spade slaps around Cairo several times and there is the tussle between Wilmer and Spade. In hard-boiled detection the detective usually goes up against the culprit. He usually has a confrontation with the criminal. In, “Murder in the Automat” Nelson goes up against Avram’s wife. Nelson says, describing his encounter with her, “…Then I switched cups on her. She’s up there now, dead. I can’t say that I wanted it that way, but it was me or her” (264-265). This is when Mrs. Avram tries to poison Nelson’s coffee, but he is already onto her and switched the cups. Classic detection does not focus on the violence or sexuality in the stories. It focuses more on the case and solving it. It is focused on the plot rather than the character unlike hard-boiled detection.

Another huge difference between classic and hard-boiled detection is the lingo and the way the detective works alone. The lingo is one of the most important distinctions between the two types of detection. Hard-boiled detection uses language that is more to the point. The use of descriptive words is reduced to a minimum. It keeps the description of what happens and what is said to the simplest point possible. The detective has an overly-confident, macho persona and speaks very bluntly. An example would be in, “The Murder at the Automat.” Nelson, the detective, is asking Avram’s wife if she has any kids. He says, “You’ve got kids, have you?” (251). This shows the way the detectives tend to speak in hard-boiled detection. Another example would be in, Woolrich’s “Murder at the Automat” when the captain says, “Whaddye think he’s signing?” (263) This is when Nelson asks the captain what Hill is signing.

Classic and hard-boiled detection have many differences and these differences show the weaknesses and strengths each genre possesses. The language in classic detection is very descriptive and this may be very beneficial to the reader because it allows the reader to get a better picture of what is going on. However, even though the language can be strength for classic detection, it can also be a weakness. With all the descriptive language, classic detection can be harder to follow. The detectives in both genres are definitely strength. The way the detective is viewed in classic detection fits perfectly with the structure of the story. There would be way too much emphasis on the plot and the detective which may be confusing. Also a classic detective in the hard-boiled detective story it would fit either. The detectives will not seem to fill the shoes of those of the hard-boiled because they come off as an over-confident, sexual detective and classic detectives just aren’t that. In conclusion, classic and hard-boiled detection differ greatly. They may both have the same goal in the end, but the detective, the plot, and the relationships with the other characters in the story ultimately separate them. Both are great genres with weaknesses and strengths. The language in hard-boiled detection is great. Classic and hard-boiled both have crimes that need to be solved and the way the detective does it, is what makes them different. Classic detection offers a partner as opposed to hard-boiled detectives who tend to work alone. Most classic detections are told through the eyes of the partner; reasonable hard-boiled is written in the first person. If I had to choose between the two I definitely would not be able to. Out of the stories we read in class I find myself interested in different stories. I love “Murder at the Automat,” but also love “The Adventure of the Speckled Band,” and the “Murders in the Rue Morgue.” I guess it all depends on how the author incorporates the plot and the detective. If the story is written with a great plot, such as the one in Poe’s, “The Adventure of the Speckled Band,” and holds a great detective, such as Spade and Holmes, it makes the story interesting. The plot and detective is ultimately what makes the story admirable.

Works Cited "Hardboiled - Detection." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2009. .

Ralph, Willett. "Ralph Willett, Hard-Boiled Detective Fiction." //British Association for American Studies//.  N.p., n.d. Web. 10 June 2009. . 

Essay #3- First Draft Anna Petrosky

Hard-boiled detection is defined as a tough unsentimental style of American crime writing that brought a new tone of earthy realism or naturalism to the field of detective fiction. Hard-boiled fiction uses graphic sex and violence, vivid but often sordid urban backgrounds, and fast-paced, slangy dialogue (New Encyclopedia Britannica). The definition alone accentuates the major differences between classic and hard-boiled detection. The name hard-boiled comes from the phrase of a hard-boiled egg. Hard-boiled eggs are hard, which is used to describe the detectives found in the hard-boiled detective stories (Wikipedia). Classic detection, which began in the 1800s (Wikipedia), is what early detective fiction plot follows. It wasn’t until the 1920s that hard-boiled detection made its debut. Carroll John Daily is said to be the creator of hard-boiled detection while Dashiell Hammett made it so popular (Wikipedia). The famous Raymond Chandler refined it to what we know today (Wikipedia). The major differences that I will be focusing on includes: the sexuality and violence, the language, and the fact that in hard-boiled fiction the detective works alone. Not only will I focus on the differences, but the strengths and weaknesses between the two. This includes: the language, the detectives, and the sexuality.

The sex and violence is a huge aspect of hard-boiled detection. It is evident that the hard-boiled detectives have this personality to them which exuberates sexuality and confidence. They are seen as the typical view of a man through society’s eyes. Classic detective stories usually do not focus on any sexuality in the stories it is more focused on the case itself. However, the plot is different in hard-boiled. An example would be in Hammett’s, __The Maltese Falcon__. It is clear of the sexual relationship between Sam Spade and Brigid O’ Shaugnessy. Hammett also shows how Spade’s partner Archer lusts after Brigid as well. Archer says, “Maybe you saw her first, Sam, but I spoke first” (10). Archer is a married man who seems to be lusting after another woman regardless if it was harmless. Here shows how sexuality is a big part of hard-boiled detection. Not to mention the references to homosexuality with Cairo and the infidelity between Spade and Archer’s wife, Iva. The homosexuality of Cairo is there to masculinate Spade. The feminity in Cairo helps accentuate the masculinity in Spade. This can be due to the pressure of how a man should be in the eyes of society. Hard-boiled detection shows the epitome of society’s portrayal of men. They are tough, sexual, confident, and in control. There are several different sexual relationships in, __The Maltese Falcon__ such as the relationship between Iva and Spade, Brigid and Spade, Archer and Brigid, Spade and Effie, just to name a few. Also the sexual tension between Spade and his secretary Effie Perin. Spade refers to her as, “sweetheart” (3, 28, etc) and “angel” (28) several different times throughout the story. The names that Spade gives to his secretary gives me the image of the ultimate “player.” He uses the cute names and hits on her. The violence is another huge aspect in hard-boiled detection. Throughout __The Maltese Falcon__ you find several different encounters with violence. You have Spade slapping around Cairo several times and the tussle between Thursby and Spade. In hard-boiled detection the detective usually goes up against the culprit. They usually have a confrontation with the criminal. In, “Murder in the Automat” Nelson goes up against Avram’s wife. Nelson says, describing his encounter with her, “…Then I switched cups on her. She’s up there now, dead. I can’t say that I wanted it that way, but it was me or her” (264-265). This is when Mrs. Avram tried to poison Nelson’s coffee, but he was already onto her and switched the cups. Classic detection does not focus on the violence or sexuality in the stories. They focus more on the case and solving it. It is focused on the plot rather than the character unlike hard-boiled detection.

Another huge difference between classic and hard-boiled detection would be the lingo and the way the detective works alone or with a partner. The lingo is one of the most important distinctions between the two. Hard-boiled detection uses language that is more to the point. The use of descriptive words is to a minimum. It does not focus on describing everything so descriptively. It gives the description of what happens and what is said to the simplest point possible. It does not focus on the feelings of the characters involved so much like classic detection does. The detective has this overly-confident, macho persona and speaks very bluntly. An example would be in, “The Murder at the Automat.” Nelson, the detective, is asking Avram’s wife if she has any kids. He says, “You’ve got kids, have you?” (251). This shows the way the detectives tend to speak in hard-boiled detection. Another example would be in, Woolrich’s “Murder at the Automat” when the captain says, “Whaddye think he’s signing?” (263) This is when Nelson asks the captain what Hill is signing.

Classic and hard-boiled detection have many differences and these differences show the weaknesses and strengths each genre possesses. The language in classic detection is very descriptive and this may be very beneficial to the reader because it allows the reader to get a better picture of what is going on. However, even though the language can be strength for classic detection it can also be a weakness. With all the descriptive language in classic detection it can be harder to follow. The detectives in both genres are definitely strength for that particular genre. The way the detective is viewed in classic detection fits perfectly in the structure of the story. To put the detective that fits the mold of a hard-boiled detective would not really fit right in the plot. There would be way too much emphasis on the plot and the detective which may get very confusing to follow. Also if you put a classic detective in the hard-boiled detective story it will not fit either. The detective will not seem to fill the shoes of those of the hard-boiled because they come off as an over-confident, sexual detective and classic detectives just aren’t that. Another weakness that can be found in hard-boiled detection can be the sexuality. The sexuality seems to draw the attention away from the crime itself. When the story focuses on so much of the sexual relationships of the characters it is hard to be concerned with the crime trying to be solved. It all depends on how the author can write in the sexuality and the solving of the crime together.

In conclusion, classic and hard-boiled detection differ greatly. They may both have the same goal in the end, but the detective, the plot, and the relationships ultimately separate them. Both are great genres and hold weaknesses and strengths. The language is definitely one of the biggest distinctions and the language in hard-boiled detection is great. It reminds me more of the older detective fiction like Dick Tracy. Classic and hard-boiled both have crimes that need to be solved just the way the detective does it, is what makes them different. Classic detection has a partner as well as oppose to hard-boiled detectives who tend to work alone. Most classic detections are told through the eyes of the partner as some hard-boiled is told through the first person. If I had to choose between the two I definitely would not be able to. Out of the stories we read in class I find myself interested in different stories spread out amongst the genres. I love “Murder at the Automat,” but on the other hand I also love “The Adventure of the Speckled Band,” and the “Murders in the Rue Morgue.” I guess it all depends on how the author incorporates the plot and the detective.

Works Cited "Hardboiled - Detection." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard-boiled_detective>. <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Ralph, Willett. "Ralph Willett, Hard-Boiled Detective Fiction." //British Association for American Studies//. <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #262a2c; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN;">N.p., n.d. Web. 10 June 2009. <http://www.baas.ac.uk/resources/pamphlets/pamphdets.asp?id=23>. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

__** Essay #2- Second Draft Anna Petrosky **__

What makes detective fiction so great? Ultimately it is the detective. Yes the crime itself plays a crucial role, but what is a story if there is no hero or heroine? The detective needs to be clever, observant, and eccentric. So why is it that male detectives are more prominently known and admired than female detectives? Nowhere is it written that to be an effective detective, the person must be male. However when people think of private detectives or famous private eyes, the most common ones people recollect are males. The female detectives are often forgotten and fall in the shadows of their male counterparts. Detectives of both genders solve the crimes and figure out the whodunit and howdunit, even though they may focus on the different importances of the case. Also they both help serve justice and follow a code of loyalty to finding the truth, so why is it that women are not as notorious as the infamous male detectives? There are huge distinguishing characteristics between male and female detectives, such as women detectives tend to focus more on trivial aspects of the case to solve it, women are also more empathetic to the victim/culprit, and their reasoning on why they want to become a detective, but overall they are very similar. Female detectives, such as those found in Susan Glaspell’s, “A Jury of Her Peers” and Anna Katharine Green’s, “Missing Page Thirteen,” are often dismissed as being competent detectives. They are just as clever as male detectives, but are seen by the male characters in the story as incapable of solving the crime due to either fear or their level of intelligence. For example, in Glaspell’s, “A Jury of Her Peers” the men actually tease the women about focusing on trivial components in the case. They dismiss them as being incapable of solving the murder of Mr. Wright. Mr. Hale states, “’women are used to worrying over trifles’” (162). The trifles the women were so worried about ultimately helps them solve the case. The men do not see the women as competent enough to solve the mystery, but they beat the men in solving the case. In Glaspell’s story, she definitely touches upon male and female stereotypes. She shows the men as viewing women as capable of nothing more than to do housework, which is a common misconception amongst society. Mr. Hale says, “Dirty towels! Not much of housekeeper, would you say ladies?”… (163). Here in the middle of a murder investigation Mr. Hale is criticizing Mrs. Wright’s housekeeping abilities. Glaspell definitely shows the portrayal of women through men’s eyes. Mrs. Hale quickly jumps back to explain why Mrs. Wright’s kitchen may be so filthy by saying that men’s hands get dirty quick and Mr. Hale laughs back saying, “Ah, loyal to your sex, I see” (163). Here Glaspell is showing how there is clearly a divide between the men and women. There are sides and the women are sticking to their own, while the men are sticking to theirs. Although male and female detectives are similar they have several, evident differences. The male detectives use ratiocination, or rational thinking, while the women normally rely on their intuition. Women use that “sixth sense” to help them visualize the solution to the case. Another example of this from Glaspell’s superb story is when the women not only used their observations, but their intuition as women to solve whodunit. The women related to Mrs. Wright. They saw how she felt and was compassionate towards her, which is another huge difference between female detectives and male detectives. They see the bird and the quilting she is doing. Female detectives tend to be empathetic or more understanding in certain crimes. The women felt bad for Mrs. Wright and excused what she does as simply protecting herself from Mr. Wright, who ultimately murders Minnie Foster, in a figurative sense. Minnie Foster is who Mrs. Wright was before she was married. She lost her own identity when she becomes a wife. The women relate to how she feels living in a man’s society. They see how she is suffocated slowly by her husband, metaphorically speaking. The biggest distinction between male and female detectives ultimately is the character they portray. Male detectives usually do not show emotion or fear. They are shown as macho men who are not afraid of anything. Female detectives are portrayed as having fear and other emotions. Green’s story shows Violet Strange being scared. There are several references throughout the story about how she is afraid to do something. An example would be when Green writes, “…which comes from an indefinable fear which no words can explain and no plummet sound” (95). Green is describing the situation when Violet is investigating the house. I feel that Green makes a huge distinction between male and female detection here. The men are more macho and do not show fear or emotions and while women are seen as being able to be scared and showing emotions, another huge misconception amongst society. Society depicts men as not showing any emotions and being strong while women are emotional and weak.

Not only do female sleuths differ from males in their use of emotions, but also by how they become detectives. An example would be in Agatha Christie’s, “The Blue Geranium.” Miss Marple is not a detective; she just stumbles upon the case. Christie writes, “…we got into the habit of discussing unsolved mysteries- there were five or six of us. We each supplied a story to which we knew the answer, but nobody else did... “We hardly realized that Miss Marple was playing… The old lady outdid us every time!” (232). This quote is describing when the narrator sits and discusses cases with the group of friends he meets with. It shows how Miss Marple begins her work as a detective. She is very good at what she does. Another difference between male and female detection would be the focus the detectives have. Female detectives tend to focus more on the why while male detectives focus on the how. An example would be in Glaspell’s story. The women are more focused on why she kills her husband and they empathize with her while in “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” the focus is more on how the culprit commits the crime.

The differences between male and female detection are not only on the character of the detective, but how the type of crimes being committed are viewed. An example would be how men detectives see the legal crime committed such as murder, burglary, etc. while women not only view the legal crimes, but the other crimes committed in a figurative sense as well. In female detective stories there is usually more than one crime present. In, “Jury of Her Peers,” there are several different crimes being committed even though murder is the most prominent. The women see the way Mrs. Wright was treated as a crime. She is murdered figuratively speaking and the bird is literally murdered, even though that word would not be used to describe the death of the bird, by Mr. Wright. The women see the situation as having not only just one murder, but three. The first murder would be of Minnie Foster, the second is the bird, and then the third is the actual murder of Mr. Wright. “’No, Wright wouldn’t like the bird,’ she said after that- ‘a thing that sang. She used to sing. He killed that too…’” (172). It shows how Mr. Wright is responsible for murdering Mrs. Wright not in a literal sense, but how he suffocates her and she is no longer the person she used to be. The women are saying how he took the life out of anything that possibly seemed alive. In Green’s story there are several, different actual crimes. It starts off with a missing page, but by the time the story finishes, there is murder, suicide, and even a prediction of arson. Female stories tend to show more than one crime, while in male detection there is usually just one, huge crime like in “Murders in the Rue Morgue” and “The Adventure of the Speckled Band.” In “Murders in the Rue Morgue” there is only the double homicide and in “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” there is the murder of Julia and attempted murder of Helen Stoner. Even though there is more than one murder in the stories that is still the widely focused aspect of the stories. It is murder and they are done by the same culprit.

In conclusion, a detective is what makes detective fiction, so intriguing besides the crime itself. Male and female detectives share many similar qualities, but it is their differences that ultimately give them those distinguishing characteristics that have become popular. Why do women detectives tend to be more sympathetic than male detectives? Maybe it is due to how society portrays men and women. The male detectives have to be seen as invincible, macho men who fear nothing and can accomplish anything. Women are viewed as being vulnerable, fearful people. Female detectives have definitely broken that mold to a certain extent. They are still seen as being fearful, but no longer hold that helpless title. Thanks to female detection, women are seen as confident, clever, and resourceful people.


 * __Essay #2- First Draft__** Anna Petrosky

What makes detective fiction so immense? Ultimately it is the detective. Yes the crime itself plays a crucial role, but what is a story if there is no hero or heroine. The detective needs to be clever, observant, and eccentric. So why is it that male detectives are more prominently known and admired over female detectives? Nowhere does it say to be an effective detective, they must be male. However when people think of private detectives or famous private eyes, the most common ones people recollect are males. The female detectives are forgotten and fall in the shadows of their male counterparts. They both solve the crimes and figure out the whodunit and howdunit. Also they both help serve justice and follow a code of loyalty to finding the truth, so why is it that they are not as notorious as the infamous male detectives? There are huge distinguishing characteristics between male and female detectives, but overall they are very similar.

Female detectives, such as those found in Susan Glaspell’s, “A Jury of Her Peers” and Anna Katharine Green’s, “Missing Page Thirteen,” are often dismissed as very influential and capable detectives. They are just as clever as male detectives. For example, in Glaspell’s, “A Jury of Her Peers” the men actually tease the women as focusing on trivial components in the case. They dismiss them as being equal to them when solving the murder of Mr. Wright. Glaspell writes, “’women are used to worrying over trifles’” (162). The trifles the women were so worried about ultimately helps them solve the case. The men did not see the women as competent enough to solve a trivial mystery, but they beat the men in solving the case. In Glaspell’s story, she definitely touches upon male and female stereotypes. She shows the men as seeing their wives as capable of nothing more than to cook and clean. “Dirty towels! Not much of housekeeper, would you say ladies?”… (163). Here in the middle of a murder investigation Mr. Hale is critiscizing Mrs. Wright about her housekeeping abilities. Glaspell definitely shows the portrayal of women through men’s eyes. Mrs. Hale quickly jumps back to explain why Mrs. Wright’s kitchen may be so filthy by saying that men’s hands get dirty quick and Mr. Hale laughs back saying, “Ah, loyal to your sex, I see” (163). Here Glaspell is showing how there is clearly a divide between the men and women. There are sides and the women were sticking to their own, while the men were sticking to theirs. Although male and female detectives are similar they have several, evident differences. A huge difference is the approach male detectives take from female detectives when solving a crime. The male detectives use ratiocination, or rational thinking, while the women normally rely on their intuition. Women use that “sixth sense” to help them visualize the solution to the case. Another example of this from Glaspell’s superb story is when the women not only used their observations, but their intuition as women to solve whodunit. The women related to Mrs. Wright. They saw how she felt and was compassionate towards her, which is another huge difference female detectives have over male detectives. They saw the bird and the quilting she was doing. Female detectives tend to be empathetic or more understanding in certain crimes. The women all felt bad for Mrs. Wright and excused what she did as simply protecting herself from Mr. Wright, who ultimately murdered Minnie Foster. Minnie Foster is who Mrs. Wright was before she was married. She lost her own identity when she became a wife. The women related to how she felt living in a man’s society. They saw how she was suffocated slowly by her husband, figuratively speaking. The biggest distinction between male and female detectives ultimately is the character they portray. Male detectives usually do not show emotion or fear. They are shown as this macho guy who is not afraid of anything. Female detectives are portrayed as having fear and full of emotions. Green’s story showed Violet Strange scared. There were several references throughout the story about how she was afraid to do something. An example would be when Green writes, “…which comes from an indefinable fear which no words can explain and no plummet sound” (95). I feel that Green shows a huge distinction between male and female detection here. The men are more macho and do not show fear or emotions and while women are seen as being able to be scared and showing emotions.

Not only do female sleuths differ from males by their use of emotions, but also by how they become detectives. An example would be in Anna Katharine Green’s, “Missing Page Thirteen.” Violet Strange does not intend to become a detective. Another example would be in Glaspell’s story. The women were not the detectives. They just stumbled upon solving the case. In Agatha Christie’s, “The Blue Geranium,” Miss Marple, as well, did not intend to become a private detective. “…we got into the habit of discussing unsolved mysteries- there were five or six of us. We each supplied a story to which we knew the answer, but nobody else did... “we hardly realized that Miss Marple was playing… The old lady outdid us every time!” (232). This shows how Miss Marple began her work as a detective. She was very good at what she did. Another distinguishing difference between male and female detection would be the focus the detectives have. Female detectives tend to focus more on the why while male detectives focus on the how. An example would be in Glaspell’s story. The women were more focused on why she killed her husband and they empathize for her while in “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” the focus was more on how the culprit committed the crime.

The differences between male and female detection are not only on the character of the detective, but also on the structure of the story. In female detective stories there is usually more than one crime present. In, “Jury of Her Peers,” there were several different crimes being committed even though murder was the most prominent. The women saw the way Mrs. Wright was treated as a crime. She was murdered figuratively speaking and the bird was literally murdered, even though that word would not be used to describe the death of the bird, by Mr. Wright. The women saw the situation as having not only just one murder, but two. “’No, Wright wouldn’t like the bird,’ she said after that- ‘a thing that sang. She used to sing. He killed that too…’” (172). It shows how Mr. Wright was responsible for murdering Mrs. Wright not in a literal sense, but how he suffocated her and she was no longer the person she used to be. The women were saying how he took the life out of anything that possibly seemed alive. In Green’s story there is several, different actual crimes. It starts off with a missing page, but by the time the story is finished, there is murder, suicide, and even a prediction of arson. Female stories tend to show more than one crime, while in male detection there is usually just one, huge crime like in “Murders in the Rue Morgue” and “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” In “Murders in the Rue Morgue” there is only the double homicide and in “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” there is the murder of Julia and attempted murder of Helen Stoner. Even though there is more than one murder in the stories that is still the widely focused aspect of the stories. It is murder and they are done by the same culprit.

In conclusion, a detective is what makes detective fiction, so intriguing besides the crime itself. Male and female detectives share many similar qualities, but it is their differences that ultimately give them those distinguishing characteristics that have become popular in Poe’s structure for modern detective fiction. Why do women detectives tend to be more sympathetic than male detectives? Maybe it is due to the fact of how society portrays men and women. The male detectives have to be seen as these invincible, macho men who fear nothing and can accomplish anything. Women are viewed as being helpless, fearful people. Female detectives have definitely broken that mold to a certain extent. They are still seen as being fearful, but no longer hold that helpless title. Thanks to female detection, women are seen as confident, clever, and resourceful people.


 * __2nd Revision:__**

<span style="display: block; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; text-align: right;">Anna Petrosky <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">“Murders in the Rue Morgue” by Edgar Allan Poe is said to be the first modern detective story. Before I can begin to write my assessment of “Murders in the Rue Morgue,” I must clarify what consists of a modern detective story. Modern detective stories use “ratiocination.” “Ratiocination” is a process to solve something using rational thinking (National Historic Site). Generally in detective fiction you find a character that is eccentric or has characteristics that are prominent (Wikipedia). Poe’s “Murders in the Rue Morgue” undeniably has a character with an eccentric personality; he is the famous C. Auguste Dupin. Not only is Poe said to have created the first modern detective story, but he also devises the “locked-room” mystery. Dupin has to decipher how the murderer enters a locked room to commit the crime. “Murders in the Rue Morgue” is about a detective, Dupin, who sets out to unravel the mysterious case of the murders that occur in the Rue Morgue. He enters the murder scene and after hearing several witnesses’ accounts of what they heard, he quickly assembles the facts and evidence and formulates a theory of who has committed the crime. The reader is not knowledgeable of the whodunit or howdunit until the closing of the story. Poe presents Dupin as an eccentric, clever detective whose perception is superb. He notices details the police seem to have overseen. He figures out very quickly that the crime was committed by an Ourang-Outang.

My assessment of “Murders in the Rue Morgue” is that it definitely sets the bar for modern detective fiction. The formula Poe uses in “Murders in the Rue Morgue” is, without a doubt, the perfect structure for great detective fiction. I cannot imagine how detective stories, today, would be told in any other way with the same impact. The structure of “Murders in the Rue Morgue” consists of the introduction of the eccentric detective (4-6), the facts of the case (8-14), the detective’s investigation and solution (14-16), how he figures it out (16-25), and then the confirmation of the solution (25-29) (Greusser). If modern detective fiction is written in any other way, readers would find themselves lost or uninterested in the story. The fact that the crime is presented and readers hear the facts and eye-witness accounts, allow readers to become involved in attempting to figure out who the culprit is. Of course readers want to know who the culprit is and how he or she commits the crime so Poe was sure to include this in the structure. Not only do readers want to be involved in what they read, they also want a character that will stand out amongst the others in the story and is someone they can become familiar with. This character is without a doubt, C. Auguste Dupin. Poe writes, “This young gentleman was of an excellent-indeed of an illustrious family, but, by a variety of untoward events, had been reduced to such poverty that the energy of his character succumbed beneath it, and he ceased to bestir himself in the world, or to care for the retrieval of his fortunes…” (4). Here Poe is showing the reader how Dupin is a common man that can have a change of luck. This is where the reader begins to empathize for Dupin and where the reader can relate to him. It shows that he is human and has hit some tough times, but still remains true to himself. He did not care about retrieving his fortunes.

“Murders in the Rue Morgue” definitely corresponds to my notion of what a detective and mystery fiction should be. I find the story to be appealing and very well written. It presents the case and provides the clues, so that readers can be the detective. They are presented with clues and the witnesses’ accounts of what happens. I found myself, while reading it, being the detective. I would pick one of the characters I thought was the murderer. Even though I was completely off on whodunit, I really enjoyed the twist. Dupin comes in using the same evidence and concocts a plan to put an advertisement in the paper to check if he was accurate on what had really happened. After he tells his trusty colleague about what he had done the colleague questions Dupin on how he knows that it was a Sailor that could have done it. “’How was it possible,’ I asked. “that you should know the man to be a sailor, and belonging to a Maltese vessel?” “I do not know it,” said Dupin. “I am not sure of it. Here, however, is a small piece of ribbon, which from its form, and from its greasy appearance, has evidently been used in tying the hair in one of those long queues of which sailors are so fond of” (25). Poe is showing not only how Dupin uses the same evidence present to solve the case, but it also shows how great his perception is. It also shows how clever Dupin is. He figures out the case on a ribbon, amongst other clues. The police seem to miss the possible connection between the sailor and the ribbon, but Poe was sure to have Dupin catch it and ultimately solve the case. Detective fiction frequently contains a surprising twist in the end. “Murders in the Rue Morgue” definitely ends with a very unpredictable twist. The twist is who, or actually what, the killer ended up being. Never once throughout the story did it appear that an Ourang-Outang was involved. Watching all the detective shows on television today, such as the __Law & Order__ series, give us the idea of what detective fiction is. In the shows there is a crime that is committed, facts are presented and people are interviewed. With all of this the viewer tries to determine who could have committed the crime, but frequently there is an unpredictable twist at the end. Also in __Law & Order__, just as in Poe’s story, a smart detective with distinctive characteristics comes in and solves the crime. I can definitely see “Murders in the Rue Morgue” as a __Law & Order__ episode. Just like the television show, Poe presents the scene, facts, evidence, and the eyewitness accounts. With all that, in the end the detective unravels the crime.

In conclusion, how can Poe’s story not be considered as the template for modern detective fiction? Everything I have ever seen or read that has dealt with detective fiction involves the exact same configuration that Poe develops in “Murders in the Rue Morgue.” There is a crime, then there is the evidence, witnesses, detectives (who are known for their distinctive characteristics), and then the solution. Poe’s story is definitely one of my favorite stories, even though some may not like the surprising twist in the end. I really enjoy that part of the story. I think what makes a story great is not whodunit, but how the criminal did it and is getting away with it until the brilliant detective solves the crime. I like the whole process of getting to the whodunit and how it was done. As I sit here and write about the structure Poe invented, I honestly cannot think of any other way to present great detective fiction. <span style="display: block; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; text-align: center;">Work Cited <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">"Detective fiction." __Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia__. 21 May 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detective_fiction>. <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">National Park Service - Experience Your America __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">. 21 May 2009. [].

REVISED PAPER: <span style="display: block; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; text-align: right;">Anna Petrosky <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">“Murders in the Rue Morgue” by Edgar Allan Poe is said to be the first modern detective story. Before I can begin to write my assessment of “Murders in the Rue Morgue” I must clarify what is determined to be a modern detective story. Modern detective stories use “ratiocination.” “Ratiocination” is a process to solve something using rational thinking (National Historic Site). Generally in detective fiction you find a character that is eccentric or has characteristics that are prominent (Wikipedia). Poe’s “Murders in the Rue Morgue” undeniably has a character with an eccentric personality; he is the famous C. Auguste Dupin. Not only is Poe said to have created the first modern detective story, but he also presents the “locked-room” mystery. Dupin has to decipher how the murderer enters a locked room to commit the crime. “Murders in the Rue Morgue” is about a detective, Dupin, who sets out to help solve the case of the murders that occurred in the Rue Morgue. He comes into the murder scene and after interviewing several witnesses, he quickly assembles the facts and evidence and discovers who has committed the crime. The reader is not informed who the “murderer” is until towards the end of the story. Poe presents Dupin as an eccentric, smart detective whose perception is superb. You never once picture who the killer is. Dupin comes in and figures it out with the facts that they present to you during the story. My assessment of “Murders in the Rue Morgue” is that it definitely sets the bar for modern detective fiction. The formula Poe uses in “Murders in the Rue Morgue” is, without a doubt, the perfect structure for great detective fiction. I cannot imagine how detective stories, today, would be told in any other way with the same impact. As we discuss the structure of “Murders in the Rue Morgue” in class consists of the introduction of the eccentric detective (4-6), the facts of the case (8-14), the detective’s investigation and solution (14-16), then how he figures it out (16-25), and then the confirmation of the solution (25-29) (Greusser). If modern detective fiction was written in any other way, readers would find themselves lost or uninterested in the story. The fact that the crime is presented and readers hear the facts and interviews, allow readers to become involved in trying to determine who the culprit is. Of course readers want to know who the culprit is and how he or she commits the crime so Poe was sure to include this in the structure. Not only do readers want to be involved in what they read, they also want a character that will stand out amongst the others in the story and are someone they can become familiar with. “Murders in the Rue Morgue” definitely corresponds to my notion of what a detective and mystery fiction should be. I find the story to be appealing and very well written. It presents the case and provides the clues, so that readers can be the detective. They are presented with clues and the witnesses’ accounts of what happens. I found myself, while reading it, being the detective. I would pick one of the characters I thought was the murderer. Even though I was completely off on whodunit, I really enjoyed the twist. Dupin comes in, and with the same evidence presented, figures it out. I see detective fictions as complex crimes needing to be solved and this definitely is one. Detective fiction frequently contains a surprising twist in the end. Watching all the detective shows on television today, such as the __Law & Order__ series, gives the idea of what detective fiction is. In the shows there is a crime that is committed, facts are presented and people are interviewed. With all of this you determine who you think could have committed the crime, but you frequently find a twist in the end that you did not predict. Also in __Law & Order__, just as in Poe’s story, a smart detective with distinctive characteristics comes in and solves the crime. I can definitely see “Murders in the Rue Morgue” as a __Law & Order__ episode. Just like the television show, Poe presents the scene, facts, evidence, and the eyewitness accounts. With all that, in the end the detective unravels the crime. In conclusion, how can Poe’s story not be considered as the structure for modern detective fiction? Everything I have ever seen or read that dealt with detective fiction involved the exact same configuration that Poe develops in “Murders in the Rue Morgue.” You have a crime, then there is the evidence, witnesses, detectives (who are notably known for their characteristics), and then the reveal of what truly happened. Poe’s story is definitely one of my favorite stories, even though some may not like the surprising twist in the end. I really enjoy that part of the story. To me, I think what makes a story great is not whodunit, but how the criminal did it and were getting away with it until the brilliant detective solves the crime. I like the whole process of getting to the whodunit and how they did it. As I sit here and write about the organization Poe has invented, I honestly cannot think of any other way to present great detective fiction. <span style="display: block; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; text-align: center;">Work Cited <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">"Detective fiction." __Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia__. 21 May 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detective_fiction>. <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">National Park Service - Experience Your America __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">. 21 May 2009. <http://www.nps.gov/edal/forteachers/upload/detective.pdf>. <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Poe, Edgar A. “Murders in the Rue Morgue.” __ Classic Mystery Stories __. Greene, Douglas G. <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Mineola, N.Y: Dover Publications, 1999.

<span style="display: block; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; text-align: right;">Anna Petrosky <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">“Murders in the Rue Morgue” by Edgar Allen Poe is said to be the first modern detective story. Before I can begin to write my assessment of “Murders in the Rue Morgue” I must clarify what is determined to be a modern detective story. Modern detective stories use “ratiocination.” “Ratiocination” is a process to solve something using rational thinking (National Historic Site). Generally in detective fiction you find a character that is eccentric or has characteristics that are prominent (Wikipedia). Poe’s “Murders in the Rue Morgue” undeniably has a character that resembles an eccentric character; he is the famous C. Auguste Dupin. Not only is Poe said to have developed the first modern detective story, but he also presented the “locked-room” mystery. Dupin had to decipher how the murderer entered a locked room to commit the crime. “Murders in the Rue Morgue” is about a detective, Dupin, who sets out to help solve the case of the murders that occurred in the Rue Morgue. He comes into the murder scene and after interviewing several witnesses he quickly assembles the facts and evidence and discovers who has committed the crime, which you as the reader, eventually learn what it was. Poe presents Dupin as an eccentric, smart detective whose perception is superb. You never once picture who the killer is. Dupin came in and figured it out with the facts that they present to you during the story. My assessment of “Murders in the Rue Morgue” is that it definitely set the bar for modern detective fiction. The formula Poe used was without a doubt the perfect layout for a great detective fiction. I cannot imagine how detective stories would be told in any other way with the same impact they have today. The structure in which “Murders in the Rue Morgue” is written consists of the introduction of the eccentric detective, the murders, the detective’s investigation and solution, then how he figured it out, and then the confirmation of the solution. If modern detective fiction was written in any other way the reader would find themselves to be lost or uninterested in the story. The fact that the crime is presented and you hear the facts and interviews allows the reader to become involved in the story in trying to determine who the culprit is. Of course as the reader you want to know who the culprit was and how they committed the crime so Poe put that in his layout. Not only does the reader want to be involved in what they read, they also want a character that they can distinguish and become accustomed to. “Murders in the Rue Morgue” definitely corresponds my notion of what a detective and mystery fiction should be. I found the story to be appealing and well written. It presents the case and gives you the clues, so that you, yourself, can be the detective. You are presented the clues and the witnesses portrayals of what happened. I found myself, while reading it, being the detective. I would pick one of the characters I thought was the murderer. Even though I was completely off on whodunit, I really liked the twist. Dupin came in and with the same evidence presented he figured it out. I see detective fictions as complex crimes needing to be solved and this definitely was one. I see detective fictions also as crimes with a twist you do not see coming. Watching all the detective shows on television today, such as the Law & Orders, give me, my idea of what detective fiction is. In the shows they have a crime that is committed and they show/tell you the facts, present the evidence, and interview people. With all of this you determine who you think could have committed the crime, but you frequently find a twist in the end that you did not see coming. Also in Law & Order, just like in Poe’s story, a smart detective with distinguishing characteristics comes in and solves the crime. I can definitely see “Murders in the Rue Morgue” as a Law & Order episode. Just like the television shows, Poe presents the scene, facts, evidence, and the interviewing of the witnesses. With all that, in the end the detective unravels the crime. In conclusion, how can Poe’s story not be considered as the layout for modern detective fiction? Everything I have ever seen or read that dealt with detective fiction involved the exact same layout that Poe developed in “Murders in the Rue Morgue.” You have a crime, then there is the evidence, witnesses, detectives (who are notably known for their characteristics), and then the reveal of what truly happened. Poe’s story is definitely one of my favorite stories even though some may not like the surprising twist in the end. I really enjoyed that part of the story. To me, I think what makes a story great is not whodunit, but how they did it and were getting away with it until the brilliant detective solves the crime. I like the whole process of getting to the whodunit and how they did it. As I sit here and write about the layout Poe is believed to invent, I honestly cannot think of any other way to present great detective fiction. <span style="display: block; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; text-align: center;">Work Cited <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Detective fiction." __Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia__. 21 May 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detective_fiction>. <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN;">National Park Service - Experience Your America __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN;">. 21 May 2009. <http://www.nps.gov/edal/forteachers/upload/detective.pdf>. <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Poe, Edgar A. “Murders in the Rue Morgue.” __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Classic Mystery Stories __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN;">. Greene, Douglas G. Mineola, N.Y: Dover Publications, 1999.