Crime Fiction Essay - 1872 Words

While the genre of crime writing covers a wide diversity of texts, these texts all engage with investigating a crime and associated social and moral issues. Evaluate this statement. Although the crime-writing genre consists of a wide array of subgenres and hybrids, these texts all focus on a criminal investigation using this as a platform/vehicle to explore and comment on the values and the social context in which it was composed. In doing so, crime fiction texts do not just tell a crime story; they make insightful social comments to inform responders. This is evident in P.D. James’ â€Å"The Skull Beneath The Skin† (Skull) which not only follows an investigation but also comments on the justice and the emerging role of women in 1980’s†¦show more content†¦Claudia Valentine is a hardened private investigator who challenges the conventions of a stereotypical hard-boiled detective. The opening segment of the novel subverts the convention of the hard-boiled subgenre as most readers would assume the protagonist is a male: â€Å"I woke up feeling like death. The blonde slept on. Thank god the black suit was hanging in the wardrobe.† Also, Claudia relies on her quick repartee and intelligence rather than her looks and does not expect any concessions due to her gender: â€Å"The crims don’t discriminate; they’ll blow away a woman on their trail just as readily as a man.† Valentine does not carry a gun, a traditionally male object which can also be interpreted as a phallic symbol, but instead relies on her karate skills. Furthermore, Steve Angell, her romantic interest, plays the traditional female part of nurturing and being supportive, another socially challenging inversion. He does not interfere with her job; offers help when needed, and even cooks – showing that gender roles are now more equalized than they were in the past. Furthermore, Day comments on justice and the corruption in society as a result of the constantly increasing number of crimes. The setting creates a dark atmosphere of the seedy underbelly of the city, as Sydney is depicted as full of corruption and violence: â€Å"There is more hidden from view, the labyrinth underbelly, the city of the night.† The setting further reflects the issue of appearanceShow MoreRelatedEssay on Alfred Hitchcocks Works of Crime Fiction717 Words   |  3 Pagescomposers are able to present their audiences with new themes and values relative to their social contexts. Crime fiction has often adapted these processes and has become a genre of its own with intriguing plots fuelling the audience’s inquisitive nature. English director, Alfred Hitchcock (also known as ‘The Master of Suspense’) was an expert in creating the desired amount of suspense within a crime film. 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