This is by far the most convincing argument on why Holmes
isn't hardboiled ... although I would question whether it was
WWI that did this in the US. I think we've been questioning
the institutions from the beginning and throwing off the yoke
of a monarchy is the definitive example of this. While not
the same, I would say that both Sam Spade and Phillip Marlowe
at least were gentlemen as well ... maybe more honest than
Holmes. Spade takes his secretary out to dinner and performs
the usual courting rituals with her, but is open to the
opportunities afforded by a woman of less strict morals (for
her time). Marlowe does the same with the policeman's
daughter, however, in the end it appears they hook up and he
never actually sullies himself with an affair with the
married woman. Granted, all concepts that are foreign to our
time and culture, but within the context of their own they
fit the "view" held of their times. Reality of those times is
probably not much different than the reality of today.
Although its far less scandalous now for the out of wedlock
child to be born than it was in their time.
-- Anthony Dauer Alexandria, Virginia
Judas is looking for a few Femme Fatales for its next issue:
http://www.adau.net/judas_ezine/
-----Original Message----- From: dgreene@odu.edu Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2001 7:39 AM
It's interesting to note that Anthony Boucher's THE CASE OF THE BAKER STREET IRREGULARS divides mysteries between Holmes and his successors and the hardboiled style. I think Boucher was right. No matter how one defines hardboiled, I think the lack of acceptance of the values and institutions of the society is fundamental--and that took World War I. Holmes may break laws and snub noblemen but only to assert late Victorian values. Like his creator, Holmes was fundamentally a gentleman.
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