Having a female as both the protagonist and the first-person narrator gave you a different motive for the reason she killed. In Double Indemnity where we see a man kill we know what it is for. We expect it. Walter Huff kills the husband so that he can have his wife. In “The Method” she has a different reason for murder. One that kept me guessing to the very end. She did it because he used her. She did it for revenge. Other than having a different motive for the killing it also does not have the same sexual tension that Double Indemnity had between Walter Huff and Phyllis Nirdlinger. In “The Method” there was a sexual relationship between Holly and Richard, but they did not have to keep it a secret in the same way that Walter Huff and Phyllis Nirdlinger did. In fact you did not even know it had to be a secret until almost the end. Then you find out that Richard and the lady that Holly was renting a room from used to be a couple. I would still consider this to be noir. It still has the protagonist and still is telling is from their perspective. One thing that is different in “The Method” though is that Holly changes from what she originally planned to do. She originally planned on taking things from the former actress that she rented from. That planned changed as she got to know her and found out that her and Richard used to be a couple. When she found out that Richard was just using her. Then she decided to kill Richard for revenge.
Enjoyed reading your blog. I like how you begin you blog in giving a little explanation on having a female as a protagonist and a narrator. Then you went and took “The Method” who had Holly and Richard and compared it with “Double Indemnity.” as we all know had Walter and Phyllis. Your comparison between the two was amazing. Great Job!
ReplyDeleteI like your blog and the take you had on the story The Method. It's right on point inregards to the reason why Holly decided to get rid of that "rat" Richard. Like you said, they didn't really have to hide their relationship, except for the fact that Richard had a relationship with the woman renting out the room to Holly in the past. He just wanted her to do his dirty work and take the wrap for it. Your blog was interesting and gives examples of how the story The Method falls into the film noir category. Good job.
ReplyDeleteYou did a nice job! I enjoy reading your blog because you compared Double Indemnity and The Method. You gave very good examples to point out that The Method fits with film noir. I also,like the fact that you describe each story step by step so that your readers undertand your point. Great Job!! I look forward to reading your blogs in the future.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right. It seems as if a woman narratives motives in these stories seem more interesting and intelligent, rather than a man with the same lame motives. I feel like women give more thought into the situation. Not a feminist or anything =]
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