Davis on Chandler

[John Carvill]

> I'm sorry, but I am going to dispute Davis' interpretation....it is tendentious and, I think, often a misreading.

Yes, I would have to agree. I don't know anything about Davis's
general views on Chandler, but what was quoted today struck me as
wilfully wrong.

> What is 'fascist' paranoia?

Similar to Hysterical Realism?

I don't think we can peg Chandler as a racist, even if we don't allow
for the fact that he was writing in different times. That said, it can
be jarring to read teh start of 'Farewell My Lovely' these days, all
those 'negro' references and stuff like this, when Marlowe enters a
'negro' bar:

"There was a sudden silence as heavy as a water-logged boat. Eyes
looked at us, chestnut colored eyes, set in faces that ranged from
grey to deep black. Heads turned slowly and teh eyes in them glistened
and stared in the dead alien silence of another race."

As you say, how is Marlowe a 'burgher'? And what is he 'avenging'?

Nope, I don't reckon we can collar Marlowe/Chandler for racism or
fascism or even misogyny. Perhaps a dash of homophobia, though.

A-and, I don't think Chandler was very keen on marijuana. The presence
of dope usually suggests degenerate villainy in Chandler, as I recall.

Cheers
J