Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender Essay

The Life and Crimes of rile Lavender is crime apologue about contemporary Australian life, written with all the ambiguity and honorable sophistication of most who dun-nits . It looks like crime, and sounds like crime, and sells like crime, but its Literature Its Opening is a subversion of the genre a blast of expectation as we ar duped into believing this is your typical male private eye (P. I. ). The role reversal a female in a traditional male dominated field wo workforce can do everything manpower can do challenges the stereotypes of traditional crime fiction. Purpose (themes, concerns, issues main ideas.)1. To prepare a sense of place Sydney. Marele Day had spent four long time travelling the world and when she came back to Sydney recognised its special charm and atmosphere. She became dictated to write a book about it and its special appeal. a) Find references to Sydney, golden and unfavourable. * what aspects are emphasized? * In totality how does Day present Syd ney? * what are the links with the past? * what is meant by the facade of Sydney? 2. Corruption and suspicion vs justice and trust. 3. Effect of engineering science have we become dehumanised? Will technology take over from humans?* What is the relationship between humanity and technology? 4. Isolation Most of the characters are isolated in one elan or another. * Find as many examples of isolation as possible. * What boilersuit comment is made about isolation? * Is there a corporation between it and technology? II. TECHNIQUE 1. Day uses a lot of the technique of modern day films especially the black and white scenes on Harry Lavender. How is he portrayed? He is very detached and aloof. We the audience cop to see and hear what Claudia is not privy to. Are these extracts from the book pit Bannister was writing? 2. Comment on Claudia Valentines PhrasingClaudia speaks in the manner of a hard-boiled worldly wise Private detective (P. I. ). slick, glib, swaggering, at times sa ssy (cheeky) and sometimes tongue in cheek. endure fast, die new-made, and leave a good looking corpse (22) I was changing cars more often than I changed my underwear (101) But its one Itll be dead end if you dont. Now dismiss (162) Word Play Double entendre (meaning) It must have been a plant. A lavender plant. (126) Terminal illness (6, 17, 20, Alter, (141 curse, cursor (143 heart ( 55, waiting for the developers to choke them a new lease of life, or maybe just a new lease. (69) Humour wit I wait for bald men to pass by and ash on their heads (23) one of the former and deuce of the latter, and the former is former her reply to Steve regarding her marital status. ( 27) You put it away, Otto, you dont know where its been. Thats the trouble, he moaned, it hasnt been anywhere lately. (53) hearty commentary Divorced? Isnt everyone? (27) I had made a mistake getting into a car with a law-abiding policeman You young folk are always in a hurry, she said managing a smile. (45) p ollution and syringes (54), women (54), fast food (68)