"Females in Film noir are either of two types- dutiful, reliable, trustworthy and loving women; or femme fatales- mysterous duplicitous, double crossing, gorgeous, unloving, predatory, tough-sweet, unreliable, irresponsible, manipulative and desperate women"( From the website- Filmsite). These characteristics of femme fatale are perfect fit for Phyllis.
The relationship between Walter, the insurance agent and Phyllis is an extra marital relationship. From the beginning, as a reader it's been a disgusting impact on my mind. As the story getting closer towards it's next move, it was predictable that, the illicit relationship of Walter and Phyllis is going to be collapsed any moment. Because, the base of their relationship is so fragile and sudden that it has to be ended with no useful result.
In the second part of action of the novel is really breathtaking. The description,of the cold and heartless murder of Mr. Nerdlinger gives readers goosebumps. After reading the killing part of Mr. Nerdlinger, it seems that, both Walter and Phyllis are equally morally corr.upted. But, it gives the readers a twist, when Walter feels kind of cold about Phyllis. His conversation with Phyllis does not match with their relationship. He seems to have a guilty feeling which confirms, when he does not kiss Phyllis, neither he says goodbye when he leaves-"We didn't kiss. We didn't even say good-bye. I got out of her car, got in mine started and drove"(pg 53). This portion of the novel gives a clear indication of the seperation of two lovebirds.
The thoughts, which were running through Walter's mind is really noticable to the readers; specially when he got home after killing Mr. Nerdlinger. He was feeling so restless about thinking of what horrible sin he has committed for a woman-made him pray after a long time. He realized, that it is not somthing that he could get away with. He feels no love for that evil woman, who made him do this horrible crime; or may be he loved her like a helpless rabit, who is stuck in a coil of a rattlesnake, "I loved her like a rabbit loves a rattlesnake"( pg 70).
hey shadow good job on your information on walter and pyllis and love how you describe here about there style of things they do and everything about there characteristic things of love and how they are involve with each other. well keep up the good work and this is thomas from ur class and keep it good job!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYes the role Phyllis played in the novel was a cold one. The goose bumps came my way as well. I mean she plotted to murder a man she said I do to. A man she planned to spend her life with. Or maybe just a man to spend some money with. Either way the woman just wasn’t satisfied until blood was shed. She was even cold enough to shoot Walter. Like vampire, she the loved the taste of blood. And then Walter, the way he killed Mr. Nirdlinger was just brutal. He turns from a white collar straight edge to a stone cold killer. Man major goose bumps.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I must thank you. I knew there couldn't only be femme fatales in film noir and I always wondered how I could describe the other types of women. "dutiful, reliable, trustworthy and loving" totally makes the cut. It even makes me realize that Lola totally fits that description and I don’t know why I didn’t figure that out before!
ReplyDeleteGreat job by the way. You have a very nice way of putting words together and I admire the way you write.
I’m really glad that you also quoted from the book because I was trying to remember what scene it was, where he didn’t kiss her. ---and you are completely right! It really does ---and CLEARLY--- indicate the separation between the two.