James M. Cain’s novel, Double Indemnity
definitely has the various definitions that describe a film noir. Numerous
people have stated their definitions of film noir; mostly all leading to characteristics
that may be considered facts about this type of style. For example, in the
article, “Towards a definition of Film Noir”, Raymond Borde and Etienne
Chaumeton state that “film noir is [crime] from within; from the point of view
of the criminal. In Double Indemnity this statement would be classified as
correct. The novel is told in first point of view by one of the criminals,
Mr.Huff. The first chapter starts off with “I drove out to Glendale…”giving the
reader hope that he or she will be getting the insight scoop from the criminal
himself. Though the reader has no idea at this point Mr.Huff is the criminal in
the novel, he is later recognized as the criminal when he offers to help Mrs.Nirdlinger
with a devious crime. “You are going to do it, and I’m going to help you” is
what he tells her. Throughout the novel, Mr.Huff lets the reader in on every
detail of the crime in process or as he says, “…while this thing is cooking…” pg.35.
Mr.Huff and Phyllis Nirdlinger are plotting Mr.Nirdlinger’s death “accident”
and the reader is in on it from the beginning. We learn from Mr.Huff in chapter
one of the novel that Mrs.Nirdlinger is quite an intriguing women. He states
the following: “I saw something I hadn’t noticed before. Under those blue pajamas
was a shape to set a man nuts…” pg.6. In this part of the novel, Mr.Huff has
just introduced the femme fatal from his point of view. The femme fatal is
another element that is used to define film noir. The reader quickly assumes
Mrs.Nirdlinger is the femme fatal because of the way Mr.Huff refers to her in
his mind. From the website Filmsite, the article “Primary Characteristics
and Conventions of Film Noir: Themes and Styles” delivers the following
statement about a femme fatal: “Usually the male protagonist in film noir has
to inevitably choose (or have the fateful choice made for him) between the
women-and invariably he picks the femme fatal who destructively goads him into
committing murder or some other crime of passion.” Those words are perfect
words to describe Phyllis as a femme fatal. Her rocking body as described by
Mr.Huff makes him desire her and as a result, do whatever it takes to have her.
In the novel, she asks him for the reason why he wants to help her kill her
husband and he replies with a bold response and says, “You, for one thing.” He
later also says that he’s doing it for the money as well. Reading a novel from
the point of view of the criminal is the best way to make it more exciting
because you know the criminal’s every thought, making you feel guilty as if you
knew something you probably shouldn’t know of. Given the quotes above from two types
of sources we can assume that the novel fits with the various definitions of
film noir.
I like your blog entry. You cited your sources and brought key elements of the book to back up your ideas. You grabbed my interest from the very beginning. My favorite part is when you described Phyllis as the perfect femme fatal. I could not agree with you more on that point. I like how it is easy to read and how your work flows on the page. One thing I like is how in just a few short words you let us know Mr. Huff is a criminal. Your ending sentance is wonderful. You wrapped up everything, and you draw a strong conclusion. I look forward to seeing what you do next.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very good entry. I completely agree with everything you have written. I liked the way you interpreted the book and the question and put them on paper. You did a really good job connecting the quotes to the book and proving your point. From the "Inside scoop from the criminal" to "her rocking body". These are great! Thanks for the great blog.
ReplyDeleteI like the way that you bring in all of the elements of how this is a work of film noir. Showing the we are a part of the crime that we know everything and that we see how everything is going to unfold is an important part as well. You sited your sources and used quotes in the book to fit your entry very well. I also think that it really cool the way that Mr. Huff meets Phyllis and how she pulls him in and later they come together to pull of a secret murder is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed how you touched on the aspect of the story being told from the first person point of view. You state that is more exciting to you to read a novel in such way because it brings about feelings of knowig something that you shouldn't. As if it almost puts you inside the story with the criminals themselves. You touched on a lot of key points from the novel that we have read thus far. You touched on how the main characters are in an evolving plot to kill Mr. Nerdlinger. Showed that they are inapropriate with each other and how they are walking a fine line of a sexual relationship. Your use of vocabulary is strong and your blog is structured very well. I agree with the parts or key points from the book that you used as being important for your blog readers to know. I myself used more of the actual story, from a third person point of view, and I really like how you closed your blog. Your writing seems smooth and effortless. I think you did a very good job Stephanie and I look forward to reading your future blogs for this class.
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