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Imitation in literature examples
Similes and metaphors
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Raymond Chandler's Writing Style in The Big Sleep
Unique writing style is definitely an essential element in any piece of writing, and Raymond Chandler uses his style efficiently in The Big Sleep. Chandler's style is one that seems to come easily to him and it also seems very natural to the reader, perhaps because there is not a lot of high, eloquent language. Rich in description and dialogue, the characters seem more realistic to the reader as a result of such details and natural speech. Chandler includes many descriptive words, similes, metaphors; yet they are not complicated or ambiguous which may lead to misinterpretations. He also tends to focus on a few major aspects of the characters, repeating those characteristics again each time the person appears in the scene. Writing about the characters in this way engages the reader and makes for a more realistic and interesting novel.
When examining each character, it is simple to pick out the key aspects which Chandler wishes the reader to grasp, often using Phillip Marlowe to do so showing how is extremely observant and detail-oriented. He is able to pick up on details right away and describe them perfectly. Introduced first is Carmen Sternwood. Chandler writes a paragraph about what Marlowe first notices about her. Chandler describes her hair, eyes, and body, yet it is her teeth which Chandler focuses on. He writes, "Shecame over near me and smiled with her mouth and she had little sharp predatory teeth, as white as fresh orange pith and as shiny as porcelain" (5). This description is a simple yet effective one because of the images used: images that are not complicated and the reader can relate to. They are common items which most people...
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...each for the phone, and wave at the glassed-in shelves (24). These are not simply physical characteristics, they are part of who the blonde is.
The unique writing style of Chandler, especially description, is one that engages the reader to see the characters as more than simple stereotypes. By focusing on particular attributes and assets of each one, they take on a personality all their own. This style of description is one that is simple for the reader to understand and interpret, but does not produce a simple work. Instead, it is a work full of similes, metaphors, metanomies, and description which would probably not be found to be so effortless in any other work than The Big Sleep.
Works Cited
Chandler, Raymond. The Big Sleep. New York: Vintage Books, 1996.
Kemp, William. The Writing Process: Chandler 202. January 14, 1999
The Roaring Twenties was a period of intense tension towards the numerous barriers of tradition. Unlike the gradual fluctuations in modern day society which lead tension in its wake, the 1920’s was a bombardment of radical change ranging from societal norms to economic consumption. The end of World War I led to the end of idealism, and evolving values began to escalate towards the 1920’s. The surge of immigrants allowed for greater and greater economic booms, including the use of credit and involvement in the stock market. Thus, increasing racial tensions surfaced, heightening as economic booms amplified. Such a deep shift in American culture conflicted with traditional mentalities. The rising tension between new and changing attitudes was led by emerging racial tensions, economic shifts, radical religious beliefs, and the divergence of the role of women in society.
The Big Sleep Movie and Novel & nbsp; On first inspection of Raymond Chandler's novel, The Big Sleep, the reader discovers that the story unravels quickly through the narrative voice of Philip Marlowe, the detective hired by the Sternwood family of Los Angeles to solve a mystery for them. The mystery concerns the General Sternwood's young daughter, and one Mr. A. G. Geiger. Upon digging for the answer to this puzzle placed before Marlowe for a mere $25 dollars a day plus expenses, Marlowe soon finds layers upon layers of mystifying events tangled in the already mysterious web of lies and deception concerning the Sternwood family, especially the two young daughters. & nbsp; When reading the novel, it is hard to imagine the story without a narrator at all. It certainly seems essential for the story's make-up to have this witty, sarcastic voice present to describe the sequence of events. Yet, there is a version of Chandler's novel that does not have an audible storyteller, and that version is the 1946 movie directed by Howard Hawks. & nbsp; Hawks' version of The Big Sleep is known to be one of the best examples of the film genre-film noir. "
For example, according to King, good description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should be finished in the reader’s, and it should only contain a few well chosen details that enhance the story. Aveyard, in her novel constantly crosses the line of over description. At times she pens pages upon pages of just plain description, in this case over description. Although this 383 page novel comprises of useless repetitive descriptions of a character's hair or another character's eyes, a bond between the reader and writer is molded nonetheless. But, due to her descriptive writing style, Aveyard causes more harm than good for most readers as the story’s plot remains at a stand still throughout this uninterrupted cycle of presenting minor details. The acknowledgment of every minute detail definitely slows the pace of the novel as a whole to the point where most readers hopelessly await a faster
Playing with descriptions of characters is the way that Chandler fits them into stereotypical roles as women who should be feared. Carmen is crazy and Vivian is a seductress who has the same mental abilities as Marlowe. His descriptions of the characters are detailed and they tell the reader just enough to allow her to fit the character into an inappropriate stereotypical group.
An increase in personal wealth, demand and output production all helped America’s prosperity. Banks were eager to lend money to businesses and individual’s. With this easy money, and the introduction of hire-purchase schemes, the demand for products increased. Consumer spending was incredibly high, which is reflected in the statistic that in 1920 there were 312 department stores, and by 1929 there were 1395. There was a consumer boom. Business profits rose by 80% during this period, which in turn raised share dividends by 65%. Also some women had continued working as they had done through the war. Both of these elements contributed to giving people again, more money to spend.
The time between The Big Sleep and The Long Goodbye signifies a significant evolution of American, or at least Hollywood, culture, from the country's post-WWII optimism to the alarm of Vietnam. The character of Marlowe, it appears, has one foot in each book-end of history.
they state, "Like the Cowboy in the Western, the hard-boiled detective is a loner." (351)
The language used in the first two paragraphs outlines the area to which the book is set, this depicts that it is almost perfect and an. an idyllic place to be. The mood is tranquil and takes the reader to a place “where all life seems to live in harmony”. In the first two paragraphs. Carson uses language of melodrama to inspire the reader’s.
Stylistically, the book is arranged in rotating chapters. Every fourth chapter is devoted to each individual character and their continuation alo...
A reason that economic expansion in the 1920s occurred was the view of businessmen that helped in supporting during the First World War allowing them to start mergers and less regulation. “The wartime contributions of business managers and the return of prosperity in 1922 gained them renewed respect. Encouraged by federal permissiveness, a wave of mergers swept the country. Between 1919 and 1920 some 8,000 firms disappeared as large gobbled small.
Marlowe is a memorable character, and he is often paired with a drink that can be seen as his “crutch”, just as James Bond is known for his high-tech gadgets. “I was wearing my powder-blue suit, with dark blue shirt, tie and display handkerchief, black brogues, black wool socks with dark blue clocks on them. I was neat, clean, shaved and sober, and I didn’t care who knew it. I was everything the well-dressed private detective ought to be” (Chandler ch. 1). Chandler opens the novel with Marlowe confidently describing his appearance, and this begins the adventure in the reader’s mind with a confident, slightly arrogant private detective beginning a new case. Marlowe continues to describe himself throughout the novel, never letting the reader forget his dominating presence. As Marlowe works through the case, he is presented with multiple mysteries intertwined, with multiple characters making their presence known. As stated before, the novel ends with the discovery of Carmen Sternwood murdering her sister’s husband, Rusty. Carmen successfully embodies an outstanding opponent because as she ingratiates herself in his case, she veers the attention away from her crime. Her clever tactic was not enough to stump Marlowe for good, but it was enough to lead him away on multiple occasions throughout the story. Although the
During the 1920s, the US economy was on the rise and one of the main reasons
There are many different authors in this world. All authors have different writing styles. Jack London writes stories about his experiences in the Yukon. London describes the bitter cold and how difficult it is to live in the Yukon. London used a vivid style, movement of literature, and thematic meaning.
“You will be my new queen and the whole world should know,” I exclaimed in excitement. I had a feeling that my life would be forever changed by this beautiful girl, and little did I know she certainly
It was at this point that i came back to reality and noticed that everyone’s eyes were set on us. “Yes, I do. I also remember i said “no” because I already was someone’s princess. I was daddy’s princess.”