In a preface to his books on crime fiction Stephen Knight says, “No detective is needed to identify the vigorous life and remarkable diversity of crime fiction”. This statement is certainly true. The pool of crime fiction literature, readers of the twenty-first century can choose from, is huge. Statistics show that, “In 2017, crime became the UK’s most popular adult fiction genre, outselling general and literary fiction for the first time”. To narrow this abundance of information down by a good chunk this paper only focuses of detective fiction, a sub-genre of crime fiction. More specifically, it takes a look at the works of two authors. One of these authors is Edgar Allan Poe who is often deemed the father of the detective genre, a claim that will be investigated later on in this paper. His influence on detective fiction can be traced throughout the centuries but is particularly strong in Paul Auster. Auster in turn epitomizes postmodern detective fiction, also called anti-detective fiction, which is a sub-genre of traditional detective fiction. He is the second author chosen here. The goal of this paper is to determine why postmodern detective fiction is considered a sub-genre of traditional detective fiction, shining light on what sets it apart from the traditional detective fiction.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Defining Detective Fiction
3. Key Stages in the History of Detective Fiction
3.1 Origins of Detective Fiction
3.2 Development of Detective Fiction
3.3 Postmodern Detective Fiction
4. Comparing Detective Texts - The Purloined Letter by E. A. Poe and City of Glass by Paul Auster
4.1 The Characteristics of the Detective
4.2 The Setting of the Detective Story and Ratiocination
4.3 The End of the Story
5. Conclusion
6. Limitations
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper explores the evolution of detective fiction from its traditional foundations to postmodern variations, with a specific focus on the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Paul Auster. The primary research question addresses why postmodern detective fiction is categorized as a sub-genre of traditional detective fiction by examining the fundamental differences and thematic continuities between these two literary forms.
- Historical development of the detective genre from its origins to the postmodern era.
- Characterization of the detective figure and the shift from genius to "everyman."
- The role of ratiocination and logic in solving mysteries versus the postmodern embrace of chaos.
- Structural differences in narrative resolutions and the impact of the "anti-detective" plot.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1 The Characteristics of the Detective
Paul Auster himself writes, “The detective is the one who looks, who listens, who moves through this morass of objects and events in search of the thought, the idea that will pull all these things together and make sense of them. In effect, the writer and the detective are interchangeable” (8). If you look at it this way, it is only natural that the characteristics of the detective should change over the centuries just as the world and the people in it change throughout the times. This section of the paper explores the changes that occurred to the character models of the detectives over time but also show how much of the original detective figure is still found in the famous postmodern novel.
Nusser states that through his research he found that „Exzentrik und Isolation (Außenseitertum) sind die typischen Merkmale der Gestalt des Detektivs: Aus der Norm fallende Angewohnheiten […] verfremden ihn und umgeben ihn mit der Aura des Außergewöhnlichen […]“ (42). Additionally, he mentions, „Auch die Einsamkeit des Detektivs wirkt verfremdend. Meist wird sie an seinem Junggesellentum verdeutlicht“ (42). These characteristics are indeed found in both of our protagonists. Poe describes his detective Dupin through the anonymous narrator which is supposed to be Dupins roommate and somewhat of a friend. This character has to say about Dupin that “[…] he ceased to bestir himself in the world, or to care for the retrieval of his fortunes. […] [Through] a small remnant of his patrimony; and upon the income arising from this, he managed, by means of rigorous economy, to procure the necessaries of life […]. Books, indeed, were his sole luxuries, […]” (“Murders” 242).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the popularity of crime fiction and outlines the paper's focus on Poe's traditional detective stories and Auster's postmodern works.
2. Defining Detective Fiction: The chapter establishes the core requirements of detective fiction, emphasizing the role of the crime, the investigation (hunt), and the intellectual process known as ratiocination.
3. Key Stages in the History of Detective Fiction: This section details the historical progression of the genre, spanning from ancient origins and the refinement of the archetype by Poe to the diversification seen in postmodern literature.
3.1 Origins of Detective Fiction: This section traces the roots of the detective figure to historical figures and stories, arguing that ratiocination existed long before modern detective fiction.
3.2 Development of Detective Fiction: The chapter discusses the expansion of the genre post-Poe, highlighting the emergence of detective figures like Sherlock Holmes and the professionalization of the craft.
3.3 Postmodern Detective Fiction: This chapter explores the shift post-1970, where postmodern authors challenge traditional structures, moving toward unreliable narratives and open-ended, often unsolvable mysteries.
4. Comparing Detective Texts - The Purloined Letter by E. A. Poe and City of Glass by Paul Auster: This comparative chapter applies previous definitions to analyze the specific narrative techniques in the selected texts.
4.1 The Characteristics of the Detective: This section examines how Dupin and Quinn share qualities of the "loner" detective but differ significantly in their intellectual prowess and psychological stability.
4.2 The Setting of the Detective Story and Ratiocination: This chapter analyzes how ratiocination is used as a tool for order in Poe's work, whereas it becomes a source of confusion and irony in Auster's work.
4.3 The End of the Story: The section highlights the stark contrast between traditional, resolved mystery endings and the postmodern, deconstructed, and nihilistic endings of the anti-detective genre.
5. Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes how the anti-detective genre functions as an essential, logic-defying successor to traditional detective fiction.
6. Limitations: This section acknowledges the scope constraints of the paper, noting that broader topics such as global crime fiction trends or female detective figures could not be addressed in detail.
Keywords
Detective Fiction, Anti-Detective Fiction, Ratiocination, Edgar Allan Poe, Paul Auster, The Purloined Letter, City of Glass, Postmodernism, Crime Fiction, Narrative structure, Characterization, Mystery, Deduction, Literature, Literary theory
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on comparing traditional detective fiction, represented by Edgar Allan Poe, with postmodern anti-detective fiction, represented by Paul Auster, to understand the evolution of the genre.
What are the central thematic fields explored?
The core themes include the historical development of detection, the characterization of the detective, the usage of ratiocination as a narrative tool, and the structural differences in how stories are resolved.
What is the primary research goal?
The primary goal is to determine why postmodern detective fiction is considered a sub-genre of traditional detective fiction and to analyze what specific elements set these works apart from their predecessors.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The paper utilizes a comparative literary analysis approach, examining both primary texts (Poe and Auster) and secondary academic literature to contrast generic conventions and character models.
What constitutes the core content of the main chapters?
The main chapters cover the definition of detective fiction, the historical stages of the genre, and a detailed comparative study of the detectives, investigative methods, and story resolutions in the selected novels.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Detective Fiction, Anti-Detective Fiction, Ratiocination, Edgar Allan Poe, Paul Auster, and Narrative Structure.
How does the role of the detective change between Poe and Auster?
While both writers portray the detective as an isolated loner, Poe's Dupin is a genius who restores order through logic, whereas Auster's Quinn is a confused "everyman" who loses his identity and fails to solve the case.
What is the significance of the "End of the Story" in the comparative analysis?
The ending is identified as the most significant difference between the two genres; Poe's stories conclude with order and clarity, while Auster's stories deliberately avoid resolution, leaving the reader and the detective lost.
- Quote paper
- Annika Zöpf (Author), 2020, Detective Fiction and Anti-Detective Fiction. Edgar Allen Poe and Paul Auster in Comparison, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/979658
