Brian Thornton wrote:
I think the only thing that separates Hammett's seminal work
RED HARVEST from an overtly marxist work like Upton
Sinclair's THE JUNGLE is that Hammett doesn't spend the last
part of the book ranting about how international socialism is
the only solution to the modern world's considerable
socio-economic problems. In fact, he doesn't offer any
solution at all to the problems raised by the ultimate
laissez-faire situation that the Continental Op encounters in
Poisonville. Even after the Op tames the town, the underlying
problems that existed in the first place are still in place,
and the little guy is still likely to take it on the
chin.
************ Great thoughts. I agree with everything you say,
noting that you never actually say that Red Harvest is
Marxist. My hesitation to accept it as such is exactly for
the reason you mention. Hammett never suggests a solution
that approaches anything like Marxism. My feeling is that the
book is too pessimistic to admit such a solution. The souls
of Red Harvest have no place in the working man's
paradise.
miker
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