RARA-AVIS: Hard-boiled or noir?

EJM Duggan (ejmd@mcmail.com)
Tue, 08 Dec 1998 06:22:51 -0800 On Mon, 7 Dec 1998, billha@ionet.net (Bill Hagen) wrote:

> Really like ED's distinctions between HB and noir.
>
> I would suggest two additions:
> a. most would associate the term "hard-boiled" with some kind of
> detective or private eye or reporter as the protagonist in a crimal
> investigation;

Oh gosh! :-# I think this is a fundamental aspect.
Though I wonder of there are obvious exceptions?
(I can't think of any right now.)

> b. "noir," on the other hand, seems to feature criminals or
> victims as protagonists, people who can't control themselves
> (psychologically) or, finally, what happens to them.

I think this is a really interesting take on noir; and I think Bill's
phrased it really concisely too.

Woah! We might be getting close to resolving one of the list's Great
Questions :-)

ED

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