Evolution of the Detective Story

1. Evolution of the Detective Story

2. Wayyyyyyy Before Our Class Starts • Oedipus Rex • The Three Apples • Zadig

3. Where We Begin • Poe (the creator of the genre) • Whodunit • An unusual detective of high intelligence who employs methods of deductive logic. • An assistant of less intelligence • A member of the police force who is never as effective as our master sleuth • A varied assortment of misleading clues • A gathering of suspects by the detective at the plot’s climax to hear the clarifying explanation.

4. Where We Go • Golden Age (1914ish – 1934ish) • Puzzles • Classic complicated plot • “Hard Boiled” Style (Started 1920’s) • Loner facing violence and nihilism (especially that after World War I) • Rougher type of character typical of the satirical age.

5. To a Satirical Time • A transition on the perception of the world • Industrial revolution • Science vs. Religion • The Great War

6. Broken Down • The Amateur Detective • The Private Investigator • The Police

7. The Amateur Detective: 5 Rules • There must be a crime, preferably a murder. • There must be a detective. • Superior powers of inductive and deductive reasoning • Solves crimes the police cannot • Police is incompetent. No figure out crime because needing help. • Reader must be given all clues. • By the end of the story, the detective must explain: • The criminal • The motive • The means • The opportunity

8. The Amateur Detective • “Fair play” • Detective = Anyone • Usually Eccentric • Could be called, chosen, or blunder into the situation. • Motived by: • Wanting to Help • General need to solve problems • Drawn to dangerous situations • Always “beat” the professionals • Two Categories: • Amateur-amateur • Professional-amateur