The relationship between Walter Huff and Phyllis Nirdlinger takes a big twist in this section of the novel. In the first section they both trusted each other. They got along. They wanted to spend time with each other. In the second part they become distance. The first time you see this is when they argue you about him taking the train. Walter Huff wants him to take the train and Phyllis Nirdlinger says her husband will not go for it.
In this piece of conversation you can see Walter Huff get mad at Phyllis Nirdlinger for the first time. Starting
with Phyllis Nirdlinger, ""Hadn't we better give up the train idea?" "Listen it's the train or we don't do it."
"Well, my goodness, you don't have to snap at me." "Just pulling off some piker job, that don't interest me. But this, hitting it for the limit, that's what I go for. It's all I go for." "I was just wondering." "Quit wondering."" (Caine 36-37). This is just one of the few times in this section of the novel that he gets mad at her. Another time is after the murder takes place and she is driving him back to his car. He gets mad because her shoes are scuffed up. He tells her she should not have carried the body from the car. He tells her she should have let him carry the body. You also see after the murder and Walter Huff is back in his apartment how his feelings have changed for Phyllis Nirdlinger. "I had killed a man. I had killed a man to get a woman. I had put myself in her power, so there was one person in the world that could point a finger at me, and I would have to die. I had done all that for her, and I never wanted to see her again as long as I lived. That's all it takes, one drop of fear, to curdle love into hate." (Caine 54). I think this shows the one of the descriptions of film noir because in "Primary Character and Convictions of Film Noir: Themes and Styles" they write, "Film Noir films (mostly shot in grays, blacks and whites) show the dark and inhumane side of human nature with cynicism and doomed loved , and they emphasize the brutal, unhealthy, seamy, shadowy, dark and dadistic sides of the human experience." One things he mentions is doomed loved. At the beginning Walter Huff would do anything to see Phyllis Nirdlinger. Now he is doing everything he can to stay away from her.
Absolutely on point is what I believe you are when discussing the relationship of Phyllis and Walter. As you stated, at first they couldn't be apart, and now after committing the crime, Walter wants to keep his distance from her. You have the right idea going definitely about which characteristics of film noir are incorporated in this book. The way you included the quotes from the book into your writing, was useful and made the reading of your entry even more enjoyable. It's very clear from your interpretation of the storyline, that you are aware of the themes and styles that film noir are all about and you have done a good job at explaining to the reader what you have read.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you explain clearly the way Walter's feeling has change toward Phyllis. And how you added the quotes to make us readers understand the sudden change. I especially like how you gave a description on why it shows to be a film noir. The explanation is great. At the end you stated that how at first Walter would do anything for Phyllis and know how he would do anything to stay away. I couldn't put it any better then that. Good Job!
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