Summary Of Raymond Chandler's The High Window

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As The High Window enters a period of rising action, Raymond Chandler uses this stage as a time to display Marlowe’s obscure feelings. Despite coming off as a tough, quick-witted detective, Marlowe begins to unveil strange reactions and moods. Although showing no significant sign of unusual behavior while talking to Mrs. Murdock, his behavior changes over only after learning that the coin was occupying two spaces simultaneously. However, the reader can only assume that Marlowe is feeling odd until Chandler’s word choice ultimately describes an unnatural Marlowe; “I pushed out of the booth and lit a cigarette with thick awkward fingers” (Chandler 103). With Marlowe forcefully exiting from the booth you can only suspect peculiar behavior, which even the awkwardness of smoking his cigarette could cover. However, his awkwardness didn’t stop there. …show more content…

The exact sentence of this point of emotion is after Marlowe’s remark, “He looked up surprised. The girls at the pinball machine looked at me, surprised. I went over and looked at myself in the mirror behind the counter. I looked surprised.” (Chandler 103). With everyone in the shop, including Marlowe in a state of surprise, you can only assume that maybe Chandler purposely added the word repetition. However, if this wasn’t enough evidence by Chandler he also adds a distinctive metaphor as Marlowe leaves; “I got down off the stool and walked to the door in a silence that was as loud as a ton of coal going down a chute.” (Chandler 103). This, in fact, heightens Marlowe’s strange behavior. As a result, it's safe to say Mrs. Murdock’s phone call disorients

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