How is danger portrayed in the extracts I have chosen in the Lady in the Lake and the Woman in White?
In the extracts I have chosen for Wilkie Collins’ sensational fiction novel “The Woman in White” and Raymond Chandler’s detective novel “The lady in the Lake”, the theme that is predominant is danger. Wilkie Collins uses a range of linguistic techniques in the extract that I have chosen to reveal the danger behind the secret that Pesca discloses to the main protagonist of the novel Walter Hartright. On the other hand Raymond Chandler portrays the theme of danger in the extract that I have chosen through the way that Detective Marlowe unfolds the puzzle of the novel by revealing to other characters the motives behind every murder that was committed by Muriel Chess. Furthermore linguistic techniques used to convey danger in The Woman in White are different to the linguistic devices used to portray danger in the Lady in the Lake due to the difference in the time periods in which both novels were published. This is evident through the way Wilkie Collins chooses to use compound sentences to reflect the colloquial language of the Victorian era , whilst Raymond Chandler chooses to use words related to the 1940 LA period such as “little pal”.
In addition Raymond Chandler portrays danger in the extract I have chosen in the extract I have chosen through the way Detective Marlowe unfolds the fact that Muriel Chess impersonated Crystal Kingsley. In addition Muriel Chess’ impersonation of Crystal Kingsley portrays her as being a dangerous character as it highlights that she is willing to steal another characters identity, if it results in her getting what she wants. Furthermore Muriel Chess’ impersonation of Kingsley’s wife also conveys danger as it suggests that Muriel Chess killed Crystal Kingsley in order to steal her identity. On the other hand Wilkie Collins depicts danger in the extract I have chosen through the use of the noun, “solemnity” when Walter Hartright is describing the way Pesca laid his on his breast. The use of this noun portrays danger to Walter because it signifies that Pesca is about to reveal something that is of a serious matter to Walter, highlighting danger through suspense as Walter doesn’t know what Pesca is about to disclose with him.
Furthermore Raymond Chandler conveys danger in the extract that I have chosen through the utilisation of the “femme fatale” theme that was so popular in the 1940’s when Chandler published the Lady in the Lake. This “femme fatale” persona is evident through Muriel Chess’ character. This is evident through Marlowe’s use of the short sentence, “Bill Chess was arrested for his wife’s murder”. The use of the this short sentence conveys danger through Muriel Chess’ femme fatale persona, as femme fatale characters are depicted as leading men into danger which is evident through the way Muriel gets her husband Bill Chess arrested for a crime he did not commit. On the other hand Wilkie Collins conveys danger in the extract in the extract I have chosen through the use of the adjective” cautiously” when describing the way Pesca looked out into passage to make sure no one was present before he disclosed his secret with Walter. The use of the adjective cautiously portrays Pesca’s careful behaviour and also depicts danger because it highlights that what Pesca is about to share with Walter is confidential depicting the theme of danger.
Raymond Chandler presents danger in the extract I have chosen through the way Philip Marlowe describes Muriel as “having killed before she married Bill Chess”. Philip Marlowe’s revelation of Muriel having killed before she met Bill Chess conveys danger because it suggests that she isn’t afraid to commit murder as she has done it in the past. Furthermore Muriel Chess’ danger is depicted through the way she makes other characters in the novel cover up for her. This also highlights her femme fatale persona as femme fatale character is described as having an influence or power on other character’s decisions. Muriel power is evident through the way she influences Dr Almore to cover up for her after she has killed his wife. This coveys Muriel Chess as a dangerous character as it shows she has the power to influence the decisions of other characters. On the other hand Wilkie Collins portrays danger through the description of Pesca’s speech when he’s making his confession to Walter Hartright. He does this by using the adjectives, hesitatingly and disconnectedly. The use of these adjectives convey a sense of danger as they highlight Pesca’s agitation which portrays danger as it suggests that what he’s about to say is dangerous.
In addition Raymond Chandler exemplifies danger in the extract I have chosen to use in the Lady in the Lake through the use of the metaphor “she could make them jump through hoops”. The use of this metaphor portrays as being dangerous as it shows that Muriel had the power to make other characters perform difficult tasks even if it went against their moral code. This is evident through the way she influences Dergamo to commit a crime by covering up for her murder on Dr Almore’s wife, even though Dergamo was cautious that performing this task would go against his police ethos. Furthermore Dergamo’s cover up for Muriel’s murder highlights police corruption in the 1940s in LA. This is evident through the “Bloody Christmas” scandal that took place in LA in the 1950s, which involved police corruption and brutality that resulted in “54 officers being suspended”.
Furthermore Wilkie Collins portrays danger in the extract I have chosen in the Woman in White through the way Pesca reveals to Walter that he’s part of secret political group called the ”Brotherhood”. Pesca’s revelation of being a secret organisation called the Brotherhood conveys danger through mystery as Walter doesn’t know why Pesca is revealing to him this secret now.
On the other hand danger is highlighted in the extract I have chosen to use in the Lady in the lake through the way Philip Marlowe describes Dergamo’s demeanour as being taut. The use of the adjective “taut” suggests that Dergamo is drawn tight and not slack in his demeanour. Furthermore the fact that Dergamo is described is drawn tight when Marlowe is presenting his evidence to these three men shows that Dergamo is uncomfortable. His unsettled manner conveys danger as it highlights the fact that he’s unsettled because he’s concealing information that is dangerous.