Tough Guys Character Analysis

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Tough Guys: Masculinity in Hard-Boiled Fiction
Hard-boiled fiction initially emerged in the pulp magazines, such as the Black Mask, in the late nineteen twenties and early thirties. The genre originated through the writings of Dashiell Hammett and further developed by the work of Raymond Chandler. Hard-boiled fiction is often acclaimed as an icon of American masculinity in modern literature. The conception of masculinity represented by the protagonist in these narratives became popular amongst the writings of American Modernists, and the film industry post-World War II (Breu 1-4.) The voice in Hard-boiled fiction is historically characterized by a cynical first-person narration of a tough-guy detective reporting his survival in a sordid,
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However, he slowly develops a weakness for the conniving Brigid O’Shaugnessy, who manages to tear apart his hard-boiled persona. The romance between both characters, discussed towards the end of The Maltese Falcon, reveals the hold O’Shaugnessy has over Spade’s heart. Spade initially appears to be reluctant to hand Brigid over to the authorities, however he quickly overcomes this break in character with his sense of justice and moral aptitude. Although Spade was not satisfied with his partner Miles Archer, he still recognized him as an experienced detective that did not deserve his fate. Furthermore, letting Brigid escape from the authorities would tarnish his reputation as a detective and hinder his business. By not playing into O’Shaugnessy’s femme fatale ruse, Sam Spade submits himself to a masculinized objectivity, where cold-blooded reason prevails over romance (Men Alone 84 …show more content…
Kimmel’s and Amy Aronson’s book Men and Masculinities, Raymond Chandler is described to have changed Philip Marlowe’s surname a number of times. He finally settled upon ‘Marlowe’ as a tribute to Thomas Malory’s work Le Morte D’Arthur, which retold the story of the Knights of the Round Table and King Arthur. Marlowe is often described as a modern knight fighting alongside General Sternwood. Marlowe is, in a sense, chivalrous in regards to women, as he isn’t easily manipulated by sexual advances. While this may be considered another aspect of his cold character, it is actually an aspect of his moral code. His moral sensibilities prevent him from being dishonest to his clients, and jeopardizing business relationships. This is especially prevalent, when he refuses to have sexual relations with the daughters of his client, General Sternwood. Marlowe represented an undomesticated and independent sense of masculinity (Kimmel & Aronson 131 -

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