Raymond Chandler's Impact on Detective Fiction

Raymond Chandler's influence on detective fiction is profound, as his work elevated the genre from pulp fiction to a respected literary form. His creation, Philip Marlowe, is not just a detective but a complex character embodying the qualities of a modern knight, navigating the corrupt streets of Los Angeles with integrity and determination. Chandler's themes of moral decay and his stylistic innovations continue to impact not only detective literature but also film and other media adaptations of his work.

Chandler's Contribution to Literature

In May 1948, W. H. Auden's article in Harper’s magazine praised Chandler's work as serious studies of a criminal milieu, elevating his detective stories to the realm of literature. Chandler's education in a British public school honed his writing standards, but it was his time with Black Mask magazine that allowed him to master the American vernacular. His hero, Philip Marlowe, became known for his colorful slang and evocative similes, such as the description of a thug in Farewell, My Lovely: "He looked about as inconspicuous as a tarantula on a slice of angel food."

Philip Marlowe: The Modern Knight

Chandler's choice of the name Marlowe may be an homage to Sir Thomas Malory, aligning his detective with the tradition of chivalry. In novels like The Big Sleep, Chandler uses imagery reminiscent of knights rescuing damsels, positioning Marlowe as a valiant knight in a corrupt world. Marlowe adheres to a personal code of honor, often rejecting temptations of money and sex, and showing disdain for the corrupt and idle rich.

Complex Relationships and Moral Codes

Marlowe's relationships are complex, often marked by a strict adherence to his code of honor. He remains chaste, wary of the women who tempt him, and when he does engage in romantic encounters, as in The Long Goodbye, they are fleeting and marked by a refusal to completely surrender to intimacy. Critics have speculated about Marlowe's sexuality, but Chandler defended his character's chastity as a manifestation of moral integrity rather than sexual preference.

The Big Sleep: Chandler's First Novel

The Big Sleep, published in 1939, is often considered Chandler's best work. It introduces Marlowe as a knightly figure fighting vice and championing virtues like loyalty and friendship. The novel is set in a damp, corrupt Los Angeles, where Marlowe navigates a complex web of blackmail, murder, and family secrets to protect his client, General Sternwood.

Farewell, My Lovely: A Love Story Amidst Corruption

Published in 1940, Farewell, My Lovely is a tale filled with murder and corruption but essentially a love story. Marlowe helps a thug, Moose Malloy, find his old girlfriend, Velma. The novel explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the harsh realities of the criminal underworld, highlighting Marlowe's deep sense of justice and his struggle with personal desires.

The High Window: Tyranny and Power

In The High Window, published in 1942, Chandler examines personal tyranny and the misuse of power. Marlowe is hired to find a rare coin, leading him into a world of deceit and manipulation. The novel reveals the corrupting influence of wealth, as Marlowe uncovers a family's dark secrets and protects an innocent woman from psychological exploitation.

The Long Goodbye: Personal Loyalties and Moral Defeat

The Long Goodbye, Chandler's sixth novel, delves into themes of alienation and the need for love and friendship. Marlowe's relationship with Terry Lennox, a charming drunk, leads him into a web of deceit and murder. The novel explores Marlowe's personal loyalties and the moral complexities of his world, culminating in a profound sense of disillusionment.

Chandler's Style and Social Commentary