The Reality of Fiction

Preston Evans

ENGL 120W

04/06/14

The Reality of Fiction

What is it about great fiction novels that draws us in? Is it the ability to be transported to distant places that can exist only within our minds? Or, is it the overwhelming yet inexplicable sense that these places may not be that distant, after all? Raymond Chandler once wrote, “Fiction in any form has always intended to be realistic.” Good writing not only allows each word and image to be absorbed by the reader, but projects the reader into the action as if the story was unfolding around them, as if wrapping them in a warm hug. We readily deliver our minds and imaginations to these authors and these words on a page because of their relatable nature to us. Sure, we can’t find hookah smoking caterpillars or (allegedly) handsome, teenage vampires in real life, but we can relate to the broader themes that these characters represent such as virility and unconditional love. As such, fiction, although rooted in non-realities and surreal imagery, proves to be an accurate window into social criticism and an effective tool for disillusionment.

Take, for example, Dashiell Hammett’s widely renowned detective fiction novel The Maltese Falcon. Hammett not only presents one of the first concrete representations of the “hard-boiled” detective (that is, a no-nonsense, coarse, calloused individual stimulated by his strong moral fiber), but also paints a society dominated by avarice and unscrupulousness. His detective fiction novel employs commonly used speech and realistic situations in order to create a heightened sense of realism. In this way, the reader is able to relate to the characters and events while simultaneously remaining somewhat removed or distant (as the chances are that the reader is not a private detective nor lives a life similar to that of a private detective). In the novel, several supporting personas along with the protagonist hold ulterior motives driven by their blatant materialistic tendencies and the possibility of acquiring wealth.

Here, in Hammett’s 1930s masterpiece, there is exemplified the shift in the way detective fiction novels were written. What before was idealistic, pastoral imagery forming a languidly rural landscape is now a gritty, industrious cityscape plagued by corruption. This shift from happy-go-lucky to not-so-funny is reflected in the historical context of the time in which the novel was written.

1930, a time of expansive cynicism, instability, and economic drawback for the U.S. As such, the growth of materialism in the 20s and expansion of capitalism led to a more competitive nature in society. People were willing to sacrifice their morals or stab each other’s backs in the name of self-interests. Furthermore, the Wall Street crash of 1929 and the Great Depression led to increased pessimism about the future stability of the economy as well as contributed to the growth of materialism as goods became more difficult to acquire. This augmented willingness to commit amoral acts is represented by Hammett through the dirty, degenerate state of the city as well as the cutthroat attitude of his characters. Although he is writing about characters that do not exist in real life, Hammett is making an important social criticism of the potential dangers of increased corruption and greed on society.

By creating Sam Spade, Hammett straddles the line between corruption and morality with his “blond satan.” Spade is characterized by his greed and selfishness as well as his rough-around-the-edges appearance and demeanor. As such, Spade is synonymous with many of the other unprincipled characters in the novel; however, he also upholds a very strong sense of moral justice and personal values. That he is able to discern right from wrong and sacrifice his own personal gain for another’s is what separates him, what makes him likeable and trustworthy. Hammett has created a protagonist who, like in many fiction novels, is an idealistic image for the common man. Spade represents the direction towards which society ought to move. Hammett is not only creating a compelling and dynamic character, but is also making a point about the way our society functions and the benefits of injected morality into a disturbingly gutted population.

Sometimes it is difficult to see the world for what it truly is when you are living in it. As such, fiction provides us with an outlet that is not only relatable, but also distances ourselves from society so that we may form our own unbiased opinions (in this case, about the effects of greed and corruption). The shift in the genre also reflects how fiction novels can be reinvented in order to better suit the cries of the general population or to offer a realistic look at the world around us. Fiction writing is there for more than just mere entertainment, it is monumentally important in understanding the past, present, and even future of the human condition by means of broader trend and theme recognition.