In 1927, a woman named Ruth Snyder and a man named Judd Gray were sentenced to death by the electric chair, because they murdered the husband of Ruth, Albert Snyder. They murdered him for a 48,000$ life insurance with a double indemnity clause in it. Both of them also had an affair before they decided to murder Ruth's husband. Judd Gray was a corset salesman. Present to the trial was James M. Cain, at that time working as a reporter. Many believe that this case gave Cain the idea for one of his most famous novels, Double Indemnity. Several signs lead to that conclusion. First of all Ruth was unhappily married and began an affair with a salesman. Secondly her husband had already been married once, before he married Ruth, but his first wife died of pneumonia. Furthermore, the two of them had a daughter named Lorraine, who shares the same first two letters in her name with the Lola in Double Indemnity, daughter of Mr. and Ms. Nirdlinger. Moreover Ruth's husband was killed for the money of his life insurance, which contained a double indemnity clause. And last but not least they tried to disguise the murder as an accident, to collect on the double indemnity (see www.examiner.com).
Many say that Double Indemnity was one of Cain's masterpieces, and it was made into a movie, which was named after the novel. It is even said, by some, to have heavily influenced the roman noir genre, as the movie is said to have had a great impact on the film noir genre (see Skenazy, 34/134; Marling, 263). The aim of this term paper is not to give an overview of what is roman, or film noir. It is just going to point out one specific feature of both of the genres, and will try to give an explanation what makes this feature so special. The feature spoken of is the point of view (or perspective, or focalisation).
First, there will be the chapters two and three concerning the theoretical background of point of view in novels and screenplays. This will be done rather briefly and roughly, because this term paper is focused more on the effect of the point of view than the way it is structured. Chapters four and five then go into detail on the point of view in Double Indemnity, novel and screenplay. Over the course of these two chapters, two special effects will be highlighted, the 'Foreshadowing' and the way in which the reader's, or the audience's estimation of the characters is influenced. This is followed in the last chapter by a conclusion.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The point of view in novels
- 3. The point of view in screenplays
- 4. The effect of the point of view in the novel “Double Indemnity”
- 4.1 Foreshadowing
- 4.2 Guiding the affection of the reader
- 5. The effect of the point of view in the screenplay “Double Indemnity”
- 5.1 Foreshadowing
- 5.2 Guiding the affection of the audience
- 6. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper analyzes the effect of point of view in James M. Cain's novel "Double Indemnity" and its film adaptation. It aims to demonstrate how the chosen perspective influences the narrative and the audience's engagement with the story.
- Point of view in novels and screenplays
- Foreshadowing techniques used to create suspense
- Manipulation of reader/audience perception of characters
- Comparison of narrative techniques between novel and film
- The impact of point of view on genre conventions
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of the term paper by discussing the real-life crime that inspired James M. Cain's "Double Indemnity." It highlights the similarities between the Snyder-Gray murder case and the novel's plot, suggesting a strong connection between the two. The chapter also briefly mentions the impact of "Double Indemnity" on the film noir genre and states the paper's objective: to analyze the effect of point of view in both the novel and its film adaptation, focusing on foreshadowing and the manipulation of reader/audience perception.
2. The point of view in novels: This chapter provides a theoretical framework for understanding point of view in novels, primarily drawing upon F.K. Stanzel's narratological theory. It outlines Stanzel's three main categories of narrators: omniscient, personal, and I-narrator, explaining their characteristics and how they impact the narrative. The chapter emphasizes the differences between these narrator types, focusing on their degree of involvement in the story and their relationship with the reader.
3. The point of view in screenplays: While not explicitly detailed in the provided text, this chapter would presumably offer a parallel theoretical framework for understanding point of view in screenplays, contrasting and comparing it to the principles discussed in the previous chapter on novels. It would likely discuss how cinematic techniques like camera angles, editing, and sound contribute to shaping the audience's perspective and understanding of the narrative.
4. The effect of the point of view in the novel “Double Indemnity”: This chapter delves into the specific application of point of view in Cain's novel. It analyzes how the chosen perspective influences the reader's understanding of the plot, characters, and themes. The chapter likely focuses on how the narrative choices contribute to the overall tone and atmosphere of the story, particularly in regard to foreshadowing and manipulating the reader's sympathies.
5. The effect of the point of view in the screenplay “Double Indemnity”: This chapter parallels chapter four, but focuses on the film adaptation. It examines how the screenplay employs cinematic techniques to achieve a similar effect to the novel's point of view, considering how these visual and auditory elements impact audience perception and engagement. The chapter would likely analyze the differences and similarities between the novel's and film's narrative strategies.
Keywords
Point of view, narrative perspective, focalization, foreshadowing, reader response, audience engagement, film noir, James M. Cain, Double Indemnity, novel, screenplay, narratology, omniscient narrator, personal narrator, I-narrator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Point of View in James M. Cain's "Double Indemnity"
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the impact of point of view in both the novel and film adaptation of James M. Cain's "Double Indemnity." It examines how the chosen perspective in each medium shapes the narrative and influences audience/reader engagement, particularly through foreshadowing and manipulation of emotional responses.
What topics are covered in the paper's table of contents?
The paper includes an introduction, chapters dedicated to point of view in novels and screenplays, in-depth analyses of point of view in the novel and film versions of "Double Indemnity" (including subsections on foreshadowing and audience/reader manipulation), and a conclusion. The table of contents provides a detailed outline of these sections.
What are the key objectives and themes explored in the paper?
The paper aims to demonstrate how point of view affects narrative structure and audience response. Key themes include: point of view in novels and screenplays, foreshadowing techniques, manipulation of reader/audience perception, comparing narrative techniques across the novel and film, and the influence of point of view on genre conventions (specifically film noir).
How does the paper summarize each chapter's content?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews. The introduction sets the context, linking the novel to a real-life crime and outlining the paper's objectives. Chapters two and three provide theoretical frameworks for point of view in novels and screenplays respectively. Chapters four and five delve into the specific use of point of view in the novel and film, analyzing how it shapes the story and audience/reader experience.
What are the key theoretical frameworks used in the analysis?
The analysis of point of view in novels draws upon F.K. Stanzel's narratological theory, outlining the characteristics of omniscient, personal, and I-narrator perspectives. The analysis of point of view in the screenplay likely builds upon similar principles, adapting them to the cinematic medium.
What specific aspects of point of view are examined in "Double Indemnity"?
The paper examines how the chosen point of view in both the novel and film version of "Double Indemnity" influences the reader's/audience's understanding of the plot, characters, themes, tone, and atmosphere. It pays particular attention to the use of foreshadowing and how the narrative manipulates the reader's/audience's sympathies.
What are the key differences between the analysis of the novel and the film adaptation?
While both analyses focus on point of view and its effects, the approach differs based on the medium. The novel analysis focuses on narrative choices within the text, whereas the film analysis considers how cinematic techniques (camera angles, editing, sound) contribute to shaping audience perspective. The paper aims to compare and contrast the narrative strategies used in both versions.
What keywords are associated with this academic paper?
Keywords include: point of view, narrative perspective, focalization, foreshadowing, reader response, audience engagement, film noir, James M. Cain, Double Indemnity, novel, screenplay, narratology, omniscient narrator, personal narrator, I-narrator.
- Citar trabajo
- Kay Scheffler (Autor), 2012, The Effect of the Point of View in "Double Indemnity", Novel and Screenplay, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/198587
