Distinctive Voices - the Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender (Part1) Essay Example
“Interesting Views Are Conveyed Through Distinctive Voices”
In the prose fiction narrative entitled “The Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender,” two main voices are heard; Claudia Valentine and Harry Lavender. The two distinctive voices are represented through different text fonts; Claudia being represented in a regular font as opposed to Harry’s voice being represented through italics. Unlike most Crime Fiction narratives, the protagonist’s voice is that of a female, occupying a male domain. Claudia subverts the classic ‘noir’ detective figure through which she can be seen as a ‘femme fatale’ or fatal female. Her ‘fatality’ can be illustrated through her practice of karate. Interesting views on urban society within Sydney during the 1980’s are conveyed through Claudia’s voice. Claudia Valentine’s voice is the hard-boiled, cynical detective voice typical of the Crime Fiction genre. She has ‘street-smarts’ and ‘street cred’ and can be seen when she says: “They looked like cops. Or hired muscle.” Her use of such terminology gives us insight into how she operates and how the society she lives in would be perceived. Her views of Sydney are contrasted with either a negative or positive attitude, or sometimes both. “The bridge, instead of linking the two sides of the harbour, was for me a psychological barrier.” This quote, followed by a brief comparison of the beaches of Manly and Bondi, tells us of how her views on separate cities are as she says: “Going across the bridge was like traveling to another country.” Her use of juxtaposition of earthy, colloquial, lyrical and descriptive language depicts her education in literacy as she expresses her views on Sydney during this period of time. “To the child who would inherit this beautiful corrupt city.” Claudia’s views on Sydney’s underbelly can be summarised through the oxymoron: “Beautiful corrupt city.” “There has always been a, let’s say, “close bond” in this state between organised crime and the
In the prose fiction narrative entitled “The Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender,” two main voices are heard; Claudia Valentine and Harry Lavender. The two distinctive voices are represented through different text fonts; Claudia being represented in a regular font as opposed to Harry’s voice being represented through italics. Unlike most Crime Fiction narratives, the protagonist’s voice is that of a female, occupying a male domain. Claudia subverts the classic ‘noir’ detective figure through which she can be seen as a ‘femme fatale’ or fatal female. Her ‘fatality’ can be illustrated through her practice of karate. Interesting views on urban society within Sydney during the 1980’s are conveyed through Claudia’s voice. Claudia Valentine’s voice is the hard-boiled, cynical detective voice typical of the Crime Fiction genre. She has ‘street-smarts’ and ‘street cred’ and can be seen when she says: “They looked like cops. Or hired muscle.” Her use of such terminology gives us insight into how she operates and how the society she lives in would be perceived. Her views of Sydney are contrasted with either a negative or positive attitude, or sometimes both. “The bridge, instead of linking the two sides of the harbour, was for me a psychological barrier.” This quote, followed by a brief comparison of the beaches of Manly and Bondi, tells us of how her views on separate cities are as she says: “Going across the bridge was like traveling to another country.” Her use of juxtaposition of earthy, colloquial, lyrical and descriptive language depicts her education in literacy as she expresses her views on Sydney during this period of time. “To the child who would inherit this beautiful corrupt city.” Claudia’s views on Sydney’s underbelly can be summarised through the oxymoron: “Beautiful corrupt city.” “There has always been a, let’s say, “close bond” in this state between organised crime and the