Brad wrote:
>I still can't figure out how she does it, but I think
Highsmith is >able to
>heighten tension instead of diminish it through the
bland and
> >inconsequential habits of Ripley.
Interesting; it may be that he's an extreme species of
antihero - 'cause a lot of supposed antiheroes (Parker,
Keller, Hannibal Lecter, Tony Soprano) still have at least
some of the qualities we associate with "heroes"
(intelligence, wit, great skill, dreams and hopes and fears).
Whereas Ripley, at least in TMR, isn't particularly
extraordinary in any way and basically drifts around one step
at a time without much will or motivation, beyond survival
and perhaps a moment's amusement. Just not a protagonist I
could work up much interest in. Maybe I'll try some of the
stories and see if they work any better for me.
Carrie
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