The development of crime fiction

Term Paper , 2009 , 15 Pages , Grade: 2,3

English Language and Literature Studies - Literature

1. Introduction
Crime fiction belongs to the top selling literature long ago. But not at all times the same type of crime fiction has been favored. Already the bible contains narrations about crime, like the story of Cain and Abel, the most famous fratricide all over the world. The motive of crime draws through literature continuing and develops in various directions. Focusing on the main genres which emerged: detective fiction, Golden Age crime fiction, American hard-boiled crime fiction, the police procedural, and the thriller; this paper will concentrate on the development of crime fiction from the early beginnings up to now. Origins and characteristics will be analyzed and differences as well as similarities between the different genres will be represented.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Mystery and detective fiction
  • The origins of detective fiction
  • The appearance of the detective
  • Characteristics of the detective novel
  • Classic detective fiction – Sherlock Holmes
• The Golden Age of detective fiction
  • The Queen of Crime'
  • Characteristics of Golden Age fiction
  • Rules in Golden Age fiction - Fair Play
• American hard-boiled crime fiction
  • Hammett and Chandler
  • Characteristics of hard-boiled crime fiction
• The Police Procedural
  • Origins of the Police Procedural
  • Characteristics of the Police Procedural
• The Thriller
  • Origins of the Thriller
  • Characteristics of the Thriller
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper explores the evolution of crime fiction, examining its various genres and their development from the early days to the present. It aims to analyze the origins and characteristics of different genres, including detective fiction, Golden Age crime fiction, American hard-boiled crime fiction, the police procedural, and the thriller. The paper will highlight similarities and differences between these genres, providing a comprehensive overview of the evolution of crime fiction.

• The origins and development of crime fiction genres
• Characteristics and defining features of different genres
• Similarities and differences between various crime fiction genres
• The influence of social and historical context on crime fiction
• The evolution of the detective figure in literature

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The first chapter introduces the topic of crime fiction and its enduring popularity throughout history. The paper explores the development of crime fiction, focusing on the emergence of major genres, including detective fiction, Golden Age crime fiction, hard-boiled crime fiction, the police procedural, and the thriller.

Chapter 2 delves into the origins and evolution of mystery and detective fiction. It examines early precursors like the Newgate Calendar, exploring its focus on crime narratives and its influence on the development of detective fiction. The chapter also discusses the emergence of the detective figure, tracing its development from early examples like William Godwin's Caleb Williams to Edgar Allan Poe's influential model of the ingenious, eccentric detective.

Chapter 3 explores the Golden Age of detective fiction, examining its characteristics, rules, and key figures. The chapter discusses the influence of authors like Agatha Christie and the importance of "fair play" in Golden Age crime fiction.

Chapter 4 focuses on American hard-boiled crime fiction, exploring the work of influential authors like Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler. The chapter examines the characteristics of this genre, including its gritty realism, focus on urban settings, and cynical detectives.

Chapter 5 delves into the origins and characteristics of the police procedural, examining its focus on police investigations and its use of realistic detail. The chapter discusses the influence of authors like Ed McBain and the evolution of this genre.

Chapter 6 examines the development of the thriller genre, exploring its origins and characteristics. The chapter discusses the influence of authors like John D. MacDonald and the genre's focus on suspense, action, and psychological tension.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Key terms and concepts explored in this paper include crime fiction, detective fiction, Golden Age crime fiction, hard-boiled crime fiction, police procedural, thriller, genre development, character archetypes, social context, literary history, and crime narratives.

• College: University of Bayreuth
• Grade: 2,3
• Author: Cindy Härcher (Author)
• Publication Year: 2009
• Pages: 15
• Catalog Number: V167614
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640842353
• ISBN (Book): 9783640842162
• Language: English
• Tags: crime fiction, detective stories, whodunnit