Re: RARA-AVIS: Hammett (was Cynical Hammett)
Anthony Smith (ansmith@netdoor.com)
Mon, 20 Apr 1998 13:04:00 -0500
> Speaking of Hemingway, he also used the full name
repetitiously in his
> novels and stories. It's been several years since I
last read some of
that
> stuff, but I don't think he does it so much in the Nick
Adams stories.
> However, take a look at THE SUN ALSO RISES and FOR WHOM
THE BELL TOLLS.
> You'll see Hem use full names frequently, even when
there seems no reason
> to do so (because it's already clear from context which
character he's
> talking about). Part of this is Hem's aggressively
working out his style.
> Part of which, I think, comes from his newspaper
training -- staying
> removed and objective to faithfully report the action.
The same is
somewhat
> true for Hammett, I think. Remember, his initial
training as a writer
came
> from writing reports as a Pinkerton agent. Using full
names for clarity
> (and remaining objective) would have been common for
such reports, I
> think.--Duane
Which also works well for the modern style Hem and Ham (and
Cain, sure)
developed, out of this observational point of view instead of
the
omniscient one, like the 19th century prose we're most used
to. Show us
the action, what happens, what they say. Just the facts?
well, I won't go
that far. But less authorial intrusion.
A. Smith
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