Harry Lavender Essay
The Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender
The Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender undermines many of the stereotypes within the genre of crime fiction. Marlene Days’ prominent themes are introduced in the extract. Power is characterised particularly through the antagonist, Sydney underworld figure Harry Lavender. Day also portrays the idea of deception and façade through her rendering of the duality of the city of Sydney and the characters within it. Days’ setting of the late 1980s conveys an era where new technology is seen and an ominent threat and a useful tool. These themes are represented in the extract and a novel as a whole.
Claudia valentine is represented as a powerful individual within the first few pages of the novel. Day establishes her independence and control as a woman with the quote “no one gets into my room, let alone my bed, without one.” It evokes a sense power and control and challenges the expectations of women, as women are seen weaker in the world. Day also expresses the idea of power exceedingly through the antagonist Harry Lavender. Giving his status in the underworld of Sydney, Lavender is considered a man of power. “I am a famous legend in my time” The use of first person narration gives the audience a sense of personal connection with the inner feelings of Lavender, as well as showing what Lavender sees towards himself.
Deception is an integral element conveyed in The Life and crimes of Harry Lavender. The idea of deception and facades is particularly shown though both protagonist and antagonist, as well as Sydney’s duality of light and dark.
The Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender undermines many of the stereotypes within the genre of crime fiction. Marlene Days’ prominent themes are introduced in the extract. Power is characterised particularly through the antagonist, Sydney underworld figure Harry Lavender. Day also portrays the idea of deception and façade through her rendering of the duality of the city of Sydney and the characters within it. Days’ setting of the late 1980s conveys an era where new technology is seen and an ominent threat and a useful tool. These themes are represented in the extract and a novel as a whole.
Claudia valentine is represented as a powerful individual within the first few pages of the novel. Day establishes her independence and control as a woman with the quote “no one gets into my room, let alone my bed, without one.” It evokes a sense power and control and challenges the expectations of women, as women are seen weaker in the world. Day also expresses the idea of power exceedingly through the antagonist Harry Lavender. Giving his status in the underworld of Sydney, Lavender is considered a man of power. “I am a famous legend in my time” The use of first person narration gives the audience a sense of personal connection with the inner feelings of Lavender, as well as showing what Lavender sees towards himself.
Deception is an integral element conveyed in The Life and crimes of Harry Lavender. The idea of deception and facades is particularly shown though both protagonist and antagonist, as well as Sydney’s duality of light and dark.