Red Harvest: The Classic Novel of American Hard-Boiled Detective Fiction
1. Introduction
Red Harvest is the first detective story written by Hammett and the first crime fiction that created a new sub- genre in a crime fiction literature. It is a novel about the Continental Op, a nameless and amoral instrumentality of a continental detective agency, who is sent to the town of Personville, also known as Poisonville, to investigate the death of a client’s father. In this town, the Op finds himself in the middle of a power struggle between two warring gangs, each trying to control the town’s lucrative supply of silver mines. As he tries to figure out who killed his client’s father and why, the Continental Op becomes increasingly entangled in the town’s web of corruption and violence.
The novel was published in October 1929, just before the start of the Great Depression, and it was an instant success. It was praised for its realistic portrayal of violence and its gritty, realistic style of writing. However, it was also criticized for its amoral protagonist and its lack of moral compass. Nevertheless, Red Harvest remains one of the most influential novels in American literature, and it is considered to be one of Hammett’s best works.
2. Dashiell Hammett and the Birth of the Hard-Boiled Detective
2.1. The Character of Sam Spade
One of the most famous characters in American literature is Sam Spade, the hard-boiled detective created by Dashiell Hammett in his novel The Maltese Falcon. Sam Spade is a private investigator in San Francisco who is hired by a woman to find her missing sister. However, as he investigates her disappearance, he finds himself entangled in a web of deceit and betrayal that leads him to uncover a much bigger conspiracy.
The character of Sam Spade was inspired by Hammett’s own experiences as a Pinkerton detective in San Francisco. Hammett based Spade’s physical appearance on his own (he even gave him his own initials), and his personality on another Pinkerton detective named James McParland. However, unlike McParland, who was known for his moral rectitude, Hammett made Spade into an amoral character who is more interested in getting results than following rules. This makes Spade an effective detective, but it also makes him someone who is not above breaking the law himself if it means getting results.
2. 2. The Writing Style of Dashiell Hammett
Hammett’s writing style is often praised for its realism and its gritty depiction of violence. This is due in part to his experience as a Pinkerton detective, where he saw firsthand the darker side of human nature. Hammett was also influenced by other writers such as Ernest Hemingway and John Dos Passos, both of whom were known for their stripped-down writing styles. This influence can be seen in Hammett’s use of short, declarative sentences and his focus on action over description.
Hammett’s style has often been imitated but never duplicated. It is sometimes referred to as “hard-boiled” or “noir” writing, and it has been highly influential on subsequent generations of crime writers.
2. 3 Themes and Social Issues in Red Harvest
Red Harvest is set during the Prohibition era, which was a time of great social and political upheaval in the United States. The novel reflects this tumultuous period in American history, and it deals with themes of corruption, violence, and the amoral instrumentalities of the law.
The protagonist of the novel, the Continental Op, is a perfect example of an amoral instrumentality. He is a nameless, faceless figure who is sent to Personville by his employer to investigate a crime. The Op is completely detached from the people and the place he is investigating, and he is only interested in getting results. This makes him an effective detective, but it also makes him an amoral figure who is willing to use any means necessary to get results.
3. Conclusion
Red Harvest is a classic novel of American literature that set the standard for hard-boiled detective fiction. It is a gritty, realistic portrayal of violence and corruption, and it deals with themes of social and political importance. The novel remains highly influential, and it is considered to be one of Hammett’s best works.