RARA-AVIS: Noir for the classroom

From: Frederick Zackel (fzackel@wcnet.org)
Date: 11 Mar 2010

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    I'm gradiing sixty essays right now. I'll donate this assignment to rara-avis. (How would you do?)

    The Hammett Flitcraft Essay Assignment is due Monday March 1st

    This essay is worth fifty (50) points.

    The Flitcraft Parable appears in Chapter Seven of "The Maltese Falcon."

    Why?

    Did you notice it?

    The Parable stops the plot in its tracks.

    Why must Spade tell Brigid this curious story?

    By the same token, why was it important she does not understand what he is telling her?

    In classical lit, often stories are told and audiences are not listening. I wonder what the writer was up to using that narrative scheme.

    Maybe you think telling the Flitcraft parable lifted the lid on Spade's head to see how he works inside.

    One student once said, "Spade must have really loved her to warn her like this." Hmmm.

    Another student once wrote that Brigid played her trump card and it was a Spade. (ROTF LOL.)

    Another dug up Jo Hammett's biography of her father.

    Somebody said Flitcraft's beam is Spade's Falcon. What does that mean?

    Somebody else found Hammett in Gerry Brenner's "Performative Criticism Experiments in Reader Response." Wha????

    Others quoted Camus on Sisyphus. Some talked about Einstein and the Old Man who Plays Dice with the Universe. I mean, we are talking about how one views Life, the Universe and Everything, right?

    Well, you won't be able to answer until you finish reading the entire book. Then go back and dig.

    What is the secret of Flitcraft?

    Oh, there is no single answer. It is a debate. So do not look for a single answer. Prowl the debate. See what secrets you can uncover.

    The Falcon is a treasure hunt. No kidding. What treasures from philosophy or theology or psychology or cosmology can you see?

    Maybe you want to delve into literature. The only other instance I know where the plot comes to such a screeching halt is the Alas Poor Yorick scene in Hamlet. I wonder if . . .

    Write an argumentative essay. Just so I have good enough research from everybody, at least six (6) quotes from outside academic and / or scholarly sources are required.

    Quote the Falcon as often as YOUR ESSAY needs; I am not counting those quotes. (I almost said Quote the Raven. You know, I bet Hammett read Poe, too, and not just Twain.)

    Check with the Pop Culture library at Jerome. It is one of the best.

    Base your essay upon your personal experiences and the analytical skills you have acquired through this course.

    Analyze but don't philosophize.

    "Analyze" means "separate your ideas into parts" and then look closely at each one separately. Don't sit back and ruminate (like a philosopher) on the Big Picture.

    Argue your thesis. Your thesis should be a well-reasoned, well-supported convincing argument. One that is authoritative and persuasive. Whatever reasons, evidence, and examples are given, all support your judgment and opinion. So your authority & credibility are at stake here. Solid evidence and sound reasoning come from a thorough analysis (which is a detailed understanding.)

    Be very specific; identify precisely characters, scenes, page numbers, whatever -- wherever necessary. When the character changes, point that out and suggest why.

    Six (6) quotes are required, either from outside academic and / or scholarly sources. Internet sources are NOT permitted.

    Let me repeat that: Internet sources are not permitted. Nor are dictionary definitions or encyclopedia entries. Cite specific passages or incidents to buttress your argument. Quote your outside sources very often to prove each of your points. A Work Cited Page should be included.

    This essay is due Monday, March 1, 2010.



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