"The Cheerleader's Fall" by: CMontanez, is a story that we have seen happen in many cases. It's the typical story of jealousy and affairs, but all this of course leads to death. I can say that this detective story is a bit modern day. The story being modern is what makes it a different story from "The Murders in the Rue Morgue". This story is similar to "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" because in Poe's story he definatly includes clues, as in every detective story. The older woman in Poe's story, her body goes missing, as Janice's body goes missing in "The Cheerleader's Fall". Then after they found the woman's body in Poe's story, they find her badly beatn and her throat cut. The same way that in "The Cheerleader's Fall", Janice is found dead in the shower.
Also in "The Murders in the Rue Morgue", "Dupin" becomes interested in pursuing the investigation", which is normal in a detective story. Dupin plays the same role that Jeff Shaneton plays in "The Cheerleader's Fall". Shaneton plays the detective in this story. Both of these people play great detective roles in trying to solve these murders. Although there were both clues in both these stories, they are not the same clues. The clues in the story "The Cheerleader's Fall" are indeed a bit more high schoolish, because it does take place in a highschool, and not as serious as in Poe's story.
Both these stories are indeed good and page turning stories. I really liked "The Cheerleader's Fall", because this story would really seem like a story that I would have wrote myself. I really enjoyed reading the crime and also reading the clues. I also enjoyed how the story ends. It has a great twist to it. I really enjoyed how this death was casued by a romance, especially by another girl. Sometimes it is just better to keep ones feelings to one's self. This would really aviod problems and in this case it would have avoided death.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Breaking the Mold
I truly enjoyed reading Vanluevan’s detective story blog, blog, blog. I must say that it broke the detective story mold; it was unconventional according to the detective tradition of Murders in Rue Morgue, but that’s what made it so unique and enjoyable to read. What stood out as unconventional to me was when both the detective and the antagonist turned out to be the same person; this definitely put the story on a different plane what gave this story its twist was that the detective was unaware that he was the culprit at the time.
Second unconventional cue was the fact that he did not gather enough evidence when he set out to find the suspect; he purely went on gut feeling with a side of suspicion. In murders in Rue Morgue the detective gathers enough clues and although they had a suspect at hand he did not settle for because of lack of evidence. The detective sensed that there was more to it than the eye could see.
Third unconventional cue was that the guilty party did his undoing; he set himself up for his unraveling being unaware that in fact he was behind this whole hoax. A great story in deed unconventional never sounded this good, here is to breaking the mold.
Rita Morales
Second unconventional cue was the fact that he did not gather enough evidence when he set out to find the suspect; he purely went on gut feeling with a side of suspicion. In murders in Rue Morgue the detective gathers enough clues and although they had a suspect at hand he did not settle for because of lack of evidence. The detective sensed that there was more to it than the eye could see.
Third unconventional cue was that the guilty party did his undoing; he set himself up for his unraveling being unaware that in fact he was behind this whole hoax. A great story in deed unconventional never sounded this good, here is to breaking the mold.
Rita Morales
Analyzing "Larson and the Pill Bust"
My classmate’s detective story, “Larson and the Pill Bust” shares elements in common with Poe’s “Murders in Rue Morgue” but also deviates from that tradition.
Larson, like Poe’s Dupin, is a person possessing above average determination and intellect, which seems to be a staple for detective stories. The crime in both stories is coined a “locked room mystery,” which means that since there is no forced entry, suicide, or way to enter or leave without being privy to access, the crime is an inside job. In Poe’s “Murders in Rue Morgue” the murders are committed by an animal that is able to enter the room unlike humans. In “Larson and the Pill Bust,” a hospital staff member perpetrates the theft, as evidenced by glass being broken from the inside instead of the outside.
While “Larson and the Pill Bust” includes elements that suggest inspiration from Poe, certain elements deviate from the tradition. For example, Poe began a tradition of using a close friend, confidant, or even assistant to the detective to serve as the story’s narrator. In “Murders in Rue Morgue,” the narrator is Dupin’s roommate and friend. Later detective stories often follow this model. In fact, Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes’ stories were almost entirely narrated by Watson, Holmes’ friend and confidant. “Larson and the Pill Bust” does not specify the point of view, but no friend or sidekick privy to the detective’s analysis and thought process is mentioned, and third person is assumed.
Another deviation is that the detective seeks glory and recognition rather than the intellectual pleasure of solving the crime and the moral satisfaction. Readers receive a glimpse into the detective's personal life. We read that Larson is trying to prove herself in light of her father's successful career. In Law and Order SVU, audiences are privy to Detective Stabler's crumbling marriage and shaky Catholicism. Yet another deviation in "Larson and the Pill Bust"is that the detective is actually a member of the police force. Poe and other early detective writers often portrayed the detective as more brilliant than the police who are unable to solve the crime. However, the shift in the modern detective genre that “Larson and the Pill Bust” more closely classifies is to portray the police as heroes. This is evident in popular detective genre shows on television, such as Law and Order. Perhaps this faith in law enforcement is part hope and part salute in a post September 11th world, but Holmes, Dupin, and Nancy Drew did not seem to need the police’s assistance, much less seek involvement in any organized detective forces.
Larson, like Poe’s Dupin, is a person possessing above average determination and intellect, which seems to be a staple for detective stories. The crime in both stories is coined a “locked room mystery,” which means that since there is no forced entry, suicide, or way to enter or leave without being privy to access, the crime is an inside job. In Poe’s “Murders in Rue Morgue” the murders are committed by an animal that is able to enter the room unlike humans. In “Larson and the Pill Bust,” a hospital staff member perpetrates the theft, as evidenced by glass being broken from the inside instead of the outside.
While “Larson and the Pill Bust” includes elements that suggest inspiration from Poe, certain elements deviate from the tradition. For example, Poe began a tradition of using a close friend, confidant, or even assistant to the detective to serve as the story’s narrator. In “Murders in Rue Morgue,” the narrator is Dupin’s roommate and friend. Later detective stories often follow this model. In fact, Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes’ stories were almost entirely narrated by Watson, Holmes’ friend and confidant. “Larson and the Pill Bust” does not specify the point of view, but no friend or sidekick privy to the detective’s analysis and thought process is mentioned, and third person is assumed.
Another deviation is that the detective seeks glory and recognition rather than the intellectual pleasure of solving the crime and the moral satisfaction. Readers receive a glimpse into the detective's personal life. We read that Larson is trying to prove herself in light of her father's successful career. In Law and Order SVU, audiences are privy to Detective Stabler's crumbling marriage and shaky Catholicism. Yet another deviation in "Larson and the Pill Bust"is that the detective is actually a member of the police force. Poe and other early detective writers often portrayed the detective as more brilliant than the police who are unable to solve the crime. However, the shift in the modern detective genre that “Larson and the Pill Bust” more closely classifies is to portray the police as heroes. This is evident in popular detective genre shows on television, such as Law and Order. Perhaps this faith in law enforcement is part hope and part salute in a post September 11th world, but Holmes, Dupin, and Nancy Drew did not seem to need the police’s assistance, much less seek involvement in any organized detective forces.
Poe and F. Abramov
In the tradition of Rue Morgue we can take several clues into the mystery where we find in the Tel Aviv story , a single strand of hair that has fallen from the blonde girl and the strand of hair that we find in the Rue Morgue which comes from the Ourang-Outang. And of course, ironically, the wild animal surprisingly is known for committing the murder without proper moral reasoning. The act was not stupid, it was done supposedly through unintentionally harmful practice by the animal. We can’t claim that the animal was using the razor blade to kill the victim but instead acted out to imitate the sailor who previously used the razor for hygienical purposes as the animal watched the sailor shave in an earlier scene. We assume that animals don’t have any moral conduct, they are known to be wild beasts and harmful around human beings, likewise they are predators to other inferior animals. This is where we find the clues to be in the tradition of Rue Morgue by using a single strand of hair as evidence into further investigation. On the other hand where it certainly deviates is the stupidity that the two teenagers used the Torah to sell and thinking they can get away with it easily. Their moral conduct was immature and certainly inappropriate around a religious society. Their mental state during the crime was unprofessionally planned where they needed to keep track of their steps and make sure nobody has a clue with what they want to do with the Torah as to avoid investigators figuring out who has done the crime. We can contrast the murders in the Rue Morgue and the stolen Torah where one incident occurred in great danger and in the other the object was returned to the Temple successfully unharmed. In one story we follow serious crime involving death, and in the other involving punishment.
double-crossed
I found “Double-Crossed” to have contained what seemed to be also apparent in Rue Morgue.
First, regarding the structure of the story of Rue Morgue, there is the crime, followed by the evidences, the method and the motive, then, finally, the conclusion. Dupin tries to figure out the riddle of the crime by studying evidences found in the crime scene, combined with the witnesses’ words concerning the voice they each heard. As he goes on to make sense of each bit and pieces of the evidences, the method of the crime becomes clearer, finally leading to the idea that the murderer may not be a human after all, which then makes it obvious as to why the witnesses couldn’t agree with each other upon the murderer’s nationality.
In double-crossed, there also lies the crime, and then there are the evidences and the suspects with the motives. A girl is found dead, and there is the book, wristband and key chain as the evidences. As to those many suspects that are presented in this story, it reminds me of the numerous claims that had been made regarding the voice, by the set of the witnesses in the Rue Morgue story. As each of the witnesses made different arguments as to the identity of the murderer, things didn’t seem too hopeful at first but in the end, we found that their seemingly perplexing opinions on the voice turned out to be saying one thing in unison, which was the answer to the big question of the crime itself. In double-crossed, we see that the suspects of the crime turned out to be all guilty of one crime. And though I’m not necessarily trying to make a point regarding this particular idea of the numerous being the answer of one question, the way the story of "Double Crossed" has been constructed seem to reflect what have been found in most traditional detective stories thus far.
First, regarding the structure of the story of Rue Morgue, there is the crime, followed by the evidences, the method and the motive, then, finally, the conclusion. Dupin tries to figure out the riddle of the crime by studying evidences found in the crime scene, combined with the witnesses’ words concerning the voice they each heard. As he goes on to make sense of each bit and pieces of the evidences, the method of the crime becomes clearer, finally leading to the idea that the murderer may not be a human after all, which then makes it obvious as to why the witnesses couldn’t agree with each other upon the murderer’s nationality.
In double-crossed, there also lies the crime, and then there are the evidences and the suspects with the motives. A girl is found dead, and there is the book, wristband and key chain as the evidences. As to those many suspects that are presented in this story, it reminds me of the numerous claims that had been made regarding the voice, by the set of the witnesses in the Rue Morgue story. As each of the witnesses made different arguments as to the identity of the murderer, things didn’t seem too hopeful at first but in the end, we found that their seemingly perplexing opinions on the voice turned out to be saying one thing in unison, which was the answer to the big question of the crime itself. In double-crossed, we see that the suspects of the crime turned out to be all guilty of one crime. And though I’m not necessarily trying to make a point regarding this particular idea of the numerous being the answer of one question, the way the story of "Double Crossed" has been constructed seem to reflect what have been found in most traditional detective stories thus far.
Poe and the Prison
After reading both stories, i find them very interesting. i also find part of the prison story comparable to poe story. Poe and Dupin were the detectives in poe story(the murders in the rue morgue). they both met on the street of paris. while in the prison story, both the detective and the three heaters met in prison.
In the prison story it was clear to us that the robber does not like the bodybuilder, but the reasons was not stated just as the reason for the robber was envy of the economist.
There was clues in both stories, but not compareable. in poe story the clue was said to be a broken doors, a resor blade. poe discribed how the blade was used to kill the victims. in the prison story, did not make it clear to us if three of the inmate lived in the same cell. which makes it a little confusing. and the clues in the prison story was a nameless weapon and the heatred among the inmates. the writer did not tell us what weapon was used for the crime. as we all know that inmates are not allowed to have any kind of weapon in their cell. this also creat a sense of confusion and there was not enough evidence that the economist killed the bodybuilder in his cell.
Although in both stories, they have the similarity of having the wrong people as the prime suspect. poe story was a little more understandable, it was clear, and many people came in for questioning. the people who came in for questioning, had one thing in common which was the vioce they heard. while in the prison story, no one heard any vioce or saw something until the bodybuilder was pronounce dead.
In the prison story it was clear to us that the robber does not like the bodybuilder, but the reasons was not stated just as the reason for the robber was envy of the economist.
There was clues in both stories, but not compareable. in poe story the clue was said to be a broken doors, a resor blade. poe discribed how the blade was used to kill the victims. in the prison story, did not make it clear to us if three of the inmate lived in the same cell. which makes it a little confusing. and the clues in the prison story was a nameless weapon and the heatred among the inmates. the writer did not tell us what weapon was used for the crime. as we all know that inmates are not allowed to have any kind of weapon in their cell. this also creat a sense of confusion and there was not enough evidence that the economist killed the bodybuilder in his cell.
Although in both stories, they have the similarity of having the wrong people as the prime suspect. poe story was a little more understandable, it was clear, and many people came in for questioning. the people who came in for questioning, had one thing in common which was the vioce they heard. while in the prison story, no one heard any vioce or saw something until the bodybuilder was pronounce dead.
"'Daddys Little Girl'"
After reading "Daddys Little Girl," by Rita Morales and "Murders in Rue Morgue" by Poe I saw both similarties and diffreneces in the way they wrote a detective story. Both stories seemed to have used the guidlines the "How to Write a Detective Story," even though Poes was written years earlier than these guidlines.
After reading both stories I saw many things they had in common. I felt that Rita followed the guidelines well. She, like Poe, was able to make a very suspensful story. Her climax came at just the right time. Like Poe's, it was the kind of climax that made you gasp, not flinch. By this I mean it wasn't a climax that involved phyiscal action. The climax was a well thought out idea. I enjoyed reading the two of these.
While there were some similarties between the two stories I found a lot more diffrences. Rita's stories was straight to the point, but it's understandbale since she was trying to write less than 500 words. Also, she didn't really give descriptions of her characters. She just said they were all related, but I had no idea what their physical appreance was. Poe's story was also a little out there when it came to the ending, Rita's was sad but more realistic. Poe's story also ended up being a complete accident, while Rita's was a well planned out crime of avengence. That was one thing that I didn't really like about Poe's story was that I thought it was some evil man who killed this poor mother and daughter and it ended up being a monkey! I thought it was a clever ending, but it wasn't what I was expecting.
All and all I really did enjoy both these stories. While I felt that these two stories had more diffrences than similarites, I also felt they they were very well written and suspenseful. I really enjoyed Rita's story line, it was very intresting.
After reading both stories I saw many things they had in common. I felt that Rita followed the guidelines well. She, like Poe, was able to make a very suspensful story. Her climax came at just the right time. Like Poe's, it was the kind of climax that made you gasp, not flinch. By this I mean it wasn't a climax that involved phyiscal action. The climax was a well thought out idea. I enjoyed reading the two of these.
While there were some similarties between the two stories I found a lot more diffrences. Rita's stories was straight to the point, but it's understandbale since she was trying to write less than 500 words. Also, she didn't really give descriptions of her characters. She just said they were all related, but I had no idea what their physical appreance was. Poe's story was also a little out there when it came to the ending, Rita's was sad but more realistic. Poe's story also ended up being a complete accident, while Rita's was a well planned out crime of avengence. That was one thing that I didn't really like about Poe's story was that I thought it was some evil man who killed this poor mother and daughter and it ended up being a monkey! I thought it was a clever ending, but it wasn't what I was expecting.
All and all I really did enjoy both these stories. While I felt that these two stories had more diffrences than similarites, I also felt they they were very well written and suspenseful. I really enjoyed Rita's story line, it was very intresting.
Fin
Fin starts out in the traditional form of mystery, Don reports there has been a break in and Fin tried to kill his wife. What is different from Poe’s story is that we have no idea who the suspects are right away. What takes the place in Poe’s story is that the police are looking at the clues the entire time. In Fin we are told by Don that Fin has a history of violence and has attacked people before. But this being a mystery story, we know that it is way to easy for that to be the answer. That’s why Poe’s story is different then a lot of what all the students wrote in the class. In Fin we are immediately given a suspect , in Poe’s story Le Bon is arrested 12 pages into the story.
But Fin also has a lot of Poe’s structure. We are given the crime, suspects, the reader is told what happened, and then we have the plot twists. Just like in Poe when we are suddenly told that an Ourang- Outang broke lose and completely demolished the victims.
Also Dupin and Teresa have a lot in common, they are both able to look past the obvious clues that point to the original suspects and try to find the real answer. In both stories the detectives overlook the obvious clues and solve the case, Teresa hears Don’s wife kill herself and Dupin goes to the police and explains what happened.
But Fin also has a lot of Poe’s structure. We are given the crime, suspects, the reader is told what happened, and then we have the plot twists. Just like in Poe when we are suddenly told that an Ourang- Outang broke lose and completely demolished the victims.
Also Dupin and Teresa have a lot in common, they are both able to look past the obvious clues that point to the original suspects and try to find the real answer. In both stories the detectives overlook the obvious clues and solve the case, Teresa hears Don’s wife kill herself and Dupin goes to the police and explains what happened.
Flash Circle
I always knew that Poe had an unusual way of telling stories, but after reading “Murder in the Rue Morgue “it was instantly clear that he created a new genre for the detective story. The killer was so unlikely in the story; I would have never thought that it would have been an orang-otang. In Flash circle I was sure that it would have been the paperboy, because although the owner of the dog was an alcoholic he searches for his dog after the disappearance.
In the story, the town realizes how all these racoons are ending up dead. Many people believed that dead raccoons were from an alien experiment and others believe that it was teenagers who were at fault.
There's Something About Janice: "The Cheerleader's Fall"
Jeff Shaneton is so dedicated to his work as a detective and wrapped up in thought that he doesn't have the time to worry about his hair or hygeine or sense of style. I like this kid. He's a mess. And, the typical grey overcoat ties it all together for me.
The mystery is set up nicely, clearly explained: The janitor, Mr. Jasper, rushes out of the gym and Jessie, is ecstatic to finally be the head cheerleader. So, who did it?
There is a love letter and dirty footprints, but I especially love the clue, "Janice is dead in the shower." What gave it away?
I do think it gets a little soap-operaish when we find out the Janitor is sleeping with the head cheerleader (I thought that was the quarterback's job).
But, this is a contemporary detective story, certainly much different from one of Poe's tales. Sex sells.
Here, there are two clear choices as to who did it - Jasper or Jessie, where Poe gives multiple options. In the end, the culprit turns out to be one of the two obvious possible choices, not some out-of-nowhere monkey. But, there is also a large amount of psychological aspects and philosophical references in Poe's detective stories, and I don't think that would work in a contemporary story such as this one. There is obviously a younger target audience.
Just as you don't find lesbians in "Rue Morgue," you don't find opinionated commentary on poets in "The Cheerleader's Fall." They are of the same genre, but very, very different.
The mystery is set up nicely, clearly explained: The janitor, Mr. Jasper, rushes out of the gym and Jessie, is ecstatic to finally be the head cheerleader. So, who did it?
There is a love letter and dirty footprints, but I especially love the clue, "Janice is dead in the shower." What gave it away?
I do think it gets a little soap-operaish when we find out the Janitor is sleeping with the head cheerleader (I thought that was the quarterback's job).
But, this is a contemporary detective story, certainly much different from one of Poe's tales. Sex sells.
Here, there are two clear choices as to who did it - Jasper or Jessie, where Poe gives multiple options. In the end, the culprit turns out to be one of the two obvious possible choices, not some out-of-nowhere monkey. But, there is also a large amount of psychological aspects and philosophical references in Poe's detective stories, and I don't think that would work in a contemporary story such as this one. There is obviously a younger target audience.
Just as you don't find lesbians in "Rue Morgue," you don't find opinionated commentary on poets in "The Cheerleader's Fall." They are of the same genre, but very, very different.
Michelle Spera Response to "Prison"
Right away, there is a degree of detective genre because there is a specific role to the characters in the jail cell. You would expect there to be a crime going on because of the way we are taught to think of people in jail. There are clues, but they are not presented in a way where they are simply found and analyzed; in fact, the clues in this story point in the wrong direction. While many of the elements of a traditional detective story are met, it is done a way that is very unique. There are still clues, suspects and the question of how this murder may have happened, but everything seems to be tied together in the end.
One way that it deviates from the genre of Edgar Allen Poe’s detective story, is that there are jobs these people have that seem to be out of the ordinary; one is an economist, prison officer, robber and detective. Although the robber fits, the economist seems a little out place. Unlike Poe’s story, we can see a motive and a reason for the crime, as opposed to Poe’s accidental slaughter. Each person in this story has an alibi, so it makes the story a little more interesting. The detective in this story is also not what we would generally expect. Poe’s prototypical detective solves the crime right away through analyzing each clue and discovering the seemingly impossible resolution. In “Prison”, the detective actually gets it wrong and the clues here cannot solve anything. This deviates most from the genre because it is usually expected that everything will come together and make sense at the end, even if that means placing an ape as the murderer.
One way that it deviates from the genre of Edgar Allen Poe’s detective story, is that there are jobs these people have that seem to be out of the ordinary; one is an economist, prison officer, robber and detective. Although the robber fits, the economist seems a little out place. Unlike Poe’s story, we can see a motive and a reason for the crime, as opposed to Poe’s accidental slaughter. Each person in this story has an alibi, so it makes the story a little more interesting. The detective in this story is also not what we would generally expect. Poe’s prototypical detective solves the crime right away through analyzing each clue and discovering the seemingly impossible resolution. In “Prison”, the detective actually gets it wrong and the clues here cannot solve anything. This deviates most from the genre because it is usually expected that everything will come together and make sense at the end, even if that means placing an ape as the murderer.
Poe vs Unsolved murder
Iris' detective story outline was called "Unsolved murder" reminded me of Poe's "Rue morgue", both stories involved the big clues being revealed by other people. In Iris' story, the detective, Jackson, hears about Jennifer's affair and that adds to his already large suspicions of Jennifer's husband Jeffrey. In "Rue morgue" the detective, Dupin, acquired most of his information just by asking people. Both stories make excellent uses of red herrings, which are clues planted in order for us to suspect someone other than the guilty party). In “Rue morgue” all the clues that we had led us to think it was a human, perhaps one of the people that heard the screaming, but then we learn later that there was a final clue, and that it was a monkey. In “unsolved Murder” the clues lead us to suspect Jeffrey, since he had the motive and he was there, but then we have to wonder who shot him. What happened to his wife’s lover? These questions make us doubt our original claim that Jeffrey was the killer. Dupin was much more deductive than Jackson. Dupin considered every single aspect of the stories he was given, while Jackson just pushed assumptions together that seemed plausible. The main difference between the two, which is also the main difference between “Unsolved murder” and most detective stories lies simply in the title, “Unsolved murder”, the mystery remains unsolved. It is up to the reader. We end up with the same information as the detective and we are left with the mystery. I am indifferent about that style of ending. On one hand, it can enrich the story by making the reader more involved and can lead to rereads, but it can also anger some readers. Most people go crazy trying to guess the end of a mystery, I think they will riot if they read a whole story and never get the name of the killer. Then again, new fiction is always dangerous at first.-
Monday, February 11, 2008
Blog, Blog, Blog (Again)
While I was reading Rue Morgue, it was impossible not to notice the deductive powers of Dupin. The story had a clear (if somewhat bizarre) turn of events. Dupin got his man, or rather Ourang-Outang, in the end. Poe didn't include much besides the mystery, the clues, and the solution, but when creating a new genre, who has the time for such frivolities as humor or action?
When I read Blog, Blog, Blog I saw a much different pattern than Poe's. However, much of the story follows the same line of progression as Rue Morgue or the Purloined Letter. What puzzled me most about Blog, Blog, Blog was that the detective and the culprit were the same person. It seemed as though in his drunken and caffeine affected state, Jarod Van Hooten (like the music reference by the way) set himself up for trouble. Poe's Dupin was an objective outsider with sharp reasoning skills, Van Hooten seems like an idiot trying to get out of a tedious homework assignment. Instead of deducing a conclusion, Van Hooten runs out of excuses, and then, expecting his mother to provide proof that he is indeed correct, digs his own grave. Additionally, for the MMO section, it could have been written for Prof. Jenkle as well. He certainly had motive, method and opportunity. Watching the skit version, Jenkle was my suspect because suspicion was well built around his intentions. I guess you could argue that Blog, Blog, Blog would be more in the genre of the spoof, taking the traditional mold and twisting it for laughs, I mean, what's odder, finding out that an Orangutan committed a gruesome murder or that a detective implicated himself in a crime he set out to solve?
I think Blog, Blog, Blog does follow some of the conventions of the detective story. It certainly has a nice whodunit factor. I was really interested in finding out who stole Van Hooten's story. I think the climax was actually the telephone call, more than the baseless accusations against Jenkle, but the story wrapped itself up nicely in the end, much like Poe's works, with all loose ends all tied up.
When I read Blog, Blog, Blog I saw a much different pattern than Poe's. However, much of the story follows the same line of progression as Rue Morgue or the Purloined Letter. What puzzled me most about Blog, Blog, Blog was that the detective and the culprit were the same person. It seemed as though in his drunken and caffeine affected state, Jarod Van Hooten (like the music reference by the way) set himself up for trouble. Poe's Dupin was an objective outsider with sharp reasoning skills, Van Hooten seems like an idiot trying to get out of a tedious homework assignment. Instead of deducing a conclusion, Van Hooten runs out of excuses, and then, expecting his mother to provide proof that he is indeed correct, digs his own grave. Additionally, for the MMO section, it could have been written for Prof. Jenkle as well. He certainly had motive, method and opportunity. Watching the skit version, Jenkle was my suspect because suspicion was well built around his intentions. I guess you could argue that Blog, Blog, Blog would be more in the genre of the spoof, taking the traditional mold and twisting it for laughs, I mean, what's odder, finding out that an Orangutan committed a gruesome murder or that a detective implicated himself in a crime he set out to solve?
I think Blog, Blog, Blog does follow some of the conventions of the detective story. It certainly has a nice whodunit factor. I was really interested in finding out who stole Van Hooten's story. I think the climax was actually the telephone call, more than the baseless accusations against Jenkle, but the story wrapped itself up nicely in the end, much like Poe's works, with all loose ends all tied up.
Portillo Vs. Poe. By Florentina Abramov
Poe has a very peculiar way of setting up the scene, and building our perceptions. Portillo's story really pulled me in because there was all this drama. It kept a suspenseful feeling, but also brought scandal into it--which always intrigues the thespian in many of us. The obvious is that there are plenty of suspects with strong motives, which reminds me of every Law and Order episode. Also, it makes you believe that they all have a reason, like in Poe's "Rue Morgue" story. The twist of the story, like Poe (with the random monkey popping up) was the murder that was conducted by a number of people and not just one. It really turned it into a whole other story. It seemed that a basic detective would have one person commit the crime, one person solves it, and they get caught and so on and so forth.
Portillo’s story breaks few barriers of detective stories. The only missing link, that would probably be described more in detail is how he found out who “J” was and how he tracked them down. It would have been interesting to read the interrogation process once they got caught and how they proved the evidence. I think that because of the time period, they have used DNA evidence in solving the case as well.
Portillo’s story breaks few barriers of detective stories. The only missing link, that would probably be described more in detail is how he found out who “J” was and how he tracked them down. It would have been interesting to read the interrogation process once they got caught and how they proved the evidence. I think that because of the time period, they have used DNA evidence in solving the case as well.
The clear details stating that there was a mysterious murder of a young cheerleader named Janice is one particular element that makes it a detective story in the tradition of Rue Morgue. “The Cheerleader’s Fall” is similar to Rue Morgue detective story because Edgar Allan Poe of Rue Morgue immediately notifies the reader that there was also a “mysterious murder”. In “The Cheerleader’s Fall” the reader begins to believe that Mr. Jasper, the school janitor is responsible for Janice’s disappearance, because he was caught “hurrying out of the gym”; when he notices Jeff, the school newspaper writer. In Rue Morgue detective story, it is mentioned that strands of hair, pulled from the root was found, along with bloody foot prints. It is then, that the reader finds out that Madame L. and her daughter had been murdered. The reader begins to believe that a human of great strength committed this crime. However, there is a twist to both stories. The element that seemed most deviate from the tradition in “ The Cheerleader’s Fall” was the climax. Here the reader is told that a fellow cheerleader was responsible for Janice’s fall in the shower, not the school janitor, Mr. Jasper. Unlike “Rue Morgue, the reader depends on the opinion of several people, who claimed that they heard the screams. After pages of trying to piece together who the suspect was, the climax finally reveals that an Ourang-Outang escapes for a Frenchman. The huge animal sees, and open window, and ascended through with a lightning rod, killing the mother and daughter.
Poe and Faylayev
Poe as our prototype of what a Detective Story should be, this is how I think Ariel Faylayev’s “Prison” measures up. (I will preface by saying I really enjoyed the story, hence my choosing it for the blog.)
The easiest place to begin is to turn to the crimes as featured in both stories. Obviously both stage a crime, the solution to which, on initial viewing, points us in a certain incorrect direction. Poe presents to his readers the bare facts of the case anti-climactically, second hand through a newspaper article. Poe, through his unnamed narrator, recounts several witness accounts, although their versions of the crime differ. Furthermore, Poe not only points the reader towards the incorrect solution, but also even reports an arrest; “Adolphe Le Bon has been arrested and imprisoned”. Conversely, Faylayev (admittedly, we were not responsible for creating completed short stories, but anyway) places the reader in the middle of the action. He recreates the aftermath of the scene of the crime instead of relaying it secondhand. He too attempts to mislead his reader and incriminate the Economist by smearing the victim’s blood on his shirt. Interesting note about both Poe and Faylayev, they both assumed anonymity for their characters; Poe’s narrator is unnamed, just as Faylayev’s characters are identified only by their ‘profession’.
The solutions, or denouements, are achieved through very different means. For our present task of assessing how these elements differ from the Poe tradition of detective stories, I think these differences are critical. Poe prefaces his story with a lengthy mussing on the importance of an analytical mind. Not merely capable of ‘calculation’, his ideal detective is an “analyst [who] throws himself into the spirit of his opponent, identifies himself therewith, and not unfrequently sees thus, at a glance, the sole methods (sometimes indeed absurdly simple ones) by which he may seduce into error or hurry into miscalculation.” Poe’s Detective Dupin is one such analytical genius (the two qualities inseperable) who solves the crime, which confounded authorities, using his ingenuity. Conversely, Faylayev’s detective was not privy to these remarkable skills that Poe grants his own crime buster. Instead, technology, the capturing of the crime on videotape, implicates the true criminal.
Both stories offer a satisfying ending. The culprit delivered, with clues strewed along the way for the reader himself to exercise the mind. It seems Poe’s detective stories, although tampered with, are alive and well.
The easiest place to begin is to turn to the crimes as featured in both stories. Obviously both stage a crime, the solution to which, on initial viewing, points us in a certain incorrect direction. Poe presents to his readers the bare facts of the case anti-climactically, second hand through a newspaper article. Poe, through his unnamed narrator, recounts several witness accounts, although their versions of the crime differ. Furthermore, Poe not only points the reader towards the incorrect solution, but also even reports an arrest; “Adolphe Le Bon has been arrested and imprisoned”. Conversely, Faylayev (admittedly, we were not responsible for creating completed short stories, but anyway) places the reader in the middle of the action. He recreates the aftermath of the scene of the crime instead of relaying it secondhand. He too attempts to mislead his reader and incriminate the Economist by smearing the victim’s blood on his shirt. Interesting note about both Poe and Faylayev, they both assumed anonymity for their characters; Poe’s narrator is unnamed, just as Faylayev’s characters are identified only by their ‘profession’.
The solutions, or denouements, are achieved through very different means. For our present task of assessing how these elements differ from the Poe tradition of detective stories, I think these differences are critical. Poe prefaces his story with a lengthy mussing on the importance of an analytical mind. Not merely capable of ‘calculation’, his ideal detective is an “analyst [who] throws himself into the spirit of his opponent, identifies himself therewith, and not unfrequently sees thus, at a glance, the sole methods (sometimes indeed absurdly simple ones) by which he may seduce into error or hurry into miscalculation.” Poe’s Detective Dupin is one such analytical genius (the two qualities inseperable) who solves the crime, which confounded authorities, using his ingenuity. Conversely, Faylayev’s detective was not privy to these remarkable skills that Poe grants his own crime buster. Instead, technology, the capturing of the crime on videotape, implicates the true criminal.
Both stories offer a satisfying ending. The culprit delivered, with clues strewed along the way for the reader himself to exercise the mind. It seems Poe’s detective stories, although tampered with, are alive and well.
2.11
Nice work today. For Wednesday, write a 250-500 word response to one of your classmates' blogs, based on the following question: What elements of their detective story make it a detective story in the tradition of Rue Morgue? What elements seem to you to most deviate from that tradition? Why?
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Fin
1. time and locale
it's 2000, there's a pet store in Queens where a guy name Fin works at. And there's a doctor's office nearby where Fin visits to see a psychologist name Don every week.
2. develope detective
A receptionist name Teresa who works at Don's office. She has sympathy for mentally ills, especially for Fin who, in her eyes, seems to have a gentle soul and can even be funny sometimes.
3. crime
Don reports to the police that Fin broke into his house and tried to kill his wife, Nina. The police come looking for Fin at his work and arrest him. Since he has a history of attacking people a long time ago, the police suspects him of being the attacker no matter how he tries to convince them that he's innocent.
4. some clues
-Fin had experienced uncontrollable rage a couple years ago, and he would sometimes tell Teresa about what it felt like when he went totally out of control, how he wanted to kill someone when he was in rage. Once, Fin's boss was very angry because he thought that Fin was guilty of killing one of the most expensive birds that he was selling at the store. Fin almost was fired but somehow kept his job.
-when Fin was with Don in the office one day, Teresa heard them arguing, or something like that. Teresa later asked Don about it and he said that Fin's condition was getting worse and therefore, he would give him a stronger medication.
6. alibis
-Fin was angry, felt a rage because Don wouldn't treat him as a human being.
7. climax
Teresa stops by at Don's house to drop off something and accidently overhears
Don and Nina's conversation. it seems that they are in fight. Nina screams at him, saying, "you should stop now. what you are doing is completely unforgivable. you're turning Fin's life into a mere experiment for you own curiosity. I'm going to go to the police myself and stop this nonsense!" Don threatens her, saying, "go on, Nina, why don't you, and yet, you really think you can ruin this whole thing? Fin, my life long experiement?
guess what, the moment you step outside this house, you're a history. i mean it." Don takes out a knife and tries to kill Nina, when Teresa bursts in, shouting at Don to drop the knife.
8. Denounment
Don is arrested. Fin is released but due to the shock he's sent to a mental hospital for a little while. Teresa go visits Fin, gives him a gold fish that she bought at his work.
it's 2000, there's a pet store in Queens where a guy name Fin works at. And there's a doctor's office nearby where Fin visits to see a psychologist name Don every week.
2. develope detective
A receptionist name Teresa who works at Don's office. She has sympathy for mentally ills, especially for Fin who, in her eyes, seems to have a gentle soul and can even be funny sometimes.
3. crime
Don reports to the police that Fin broke into his house and tried to kill his wife, Nina. The police come looking for Fin at his work and arrest him. Since he has a history of attacking people a long time ago, the police suspects him of being the attacker no matter how he tries to convince them that he's innocent.
4. some clues
-Fin had experienced uncontrollable rage a couple years ago, and he would sometimes tell Teresa about what it felt like when he went totally out of control, how he wanted to kill someone when he was in rage. Once, Fin's boss was very angry because he thought that Fin was guilty of killing one of the most expensive birds that he was selling at the store. Fin almost was fired but somehow kept his job.
-when Fin was with Don in the office one day, Teresa heard them arguing, or something like that. Teresa later asked Don about it and he said that Fin's condition was getting worse and therefore, he would give him a stronger medication.
6. alibis
-Fin was angry, felt a rage because Don wouldn't treat him as a human being.
7. climax
Teresa stops by at Don's house to drop off something and accidently overhears
Don and Nina's conversation. it seems that they are in fight. Nina screams at him, saying, "you should stop now. what you are doing is completely unforgivable. you're turning Fin's life into a mere experiment for you own curiosity. I'm going to go to the police myself and stop this nonsense!" Don threatens her, saying, "go on, Nina, why don't you, and yet, you really think you can ruin this whole thing? Fin, my life long experiement?
guess what, the moment you step outside this house, you're a history. i mean it." Don takes out a knife and tries to kill Nina, when Teresa bursts in, shouting at Don to drop the knife.
8. Denounment
Don is arrested. Fin is released but due to the shock he's sent to a mental hospital for a little while. Teresa go visits Fin, gives him a gold fish that she bought at his work.
Daddy's Little Girl
Time Period or Locale: Upstate New York. Huge Mansion belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Madison
Detective: Jamie Madison, eldest of the three Madison kids, Attends Thomas Jefferson High School along with his two other siblings Allie Madison and Carly Madison.
Outlineof Crime: It was about one week away from Christmas day, and the Madison’s were all at home. Mr. and Mrs. Madison cuddling next to the fire place drinking hot cocoa. Jamie was upstairs practicing on his brand new guitar an early x-mas gift from mom and dad. Allie was on the phone with her Patrick. While Carly was practicing her choir solo for the up and coming Christmas concert held in Saint Michaels church. All of a sudden the lights die out “is everyone ok?” yells Mr. Madison, a loud shriek echoes around the Mansion. Its carly Mr. Madison says, he runs up the stairs rapid fire, but it’s too late the window was wide open and Carly was nowhere to be insight. “This can’t be happening again” says Mr. Madison. Although Jamie was distraught by Carly’s Ransom who couldn’t shake the feeling that the person whom had plotted this was very close to home. Jamie suspected that his sister Allie might have been involved what he couldn’t understand was why?
Clues: Smashed picture of Carly and her sister Allie. The year before Allie was held ransomed as well luckily she was returned home safely for the slight price of 100,000. The alarm did not go off, almost as if that person new the alarm.
Motive, Method and Opportunity
Motive: Allie and Carly always had a constant sibling rivalry, but the situation worsened after she was kidnapped last year
Method: What seemed to be Allies kidnapping last year was actually a prank that was being pulled by allies’ friends. When Allie was exposed to the truth Allie was furious at her friends, but that was when she created an elaborate plan. Her plan was to see how much her father was willing to pay for her ransom; she wanted to see how much money her father was disposed to pay. The second part of the plan was to execute the same ransom except with Allie to prove to herself once and for which daughter was favored highly
Opportunity: Everyone is some home during the winter break, no one would suspect her in the end she is her sister why would anyone suspect her.
Climax: The Madison’s are all at home awaiting the call of the person whom is holding carly ransom in order to negotiate the money exchange: Ring!!! “Hello” Mr. Madison replies “yes I’m listening”, we want 1, 000, 000 dollars for the safe returning of your daughter Carly, “You’ve got it”. Click, “wow dad a million bucks, not even with allies kidnapping” Jamie had already figured out that Allie was behind the ransom as well that Allies bf Patrick was helping her with this foolish scheme. Meanwhile upstairs Jamie enters allies room “hey Al are you feeling ok?” She replies “I’m fine just let me be” I Know your behind this, “Get out Jamie”. Mr. Madison enters the room “What’s going on her”. Allie broke down and confessed to her father what she had done.
Denouement: she explained to her father how jealous she was of his relationship with carly, and how she was upset of the larger sum that was offered for Carly’s ransom. She wanted to prove that there existed some sort of preference over Allie. Jamie: So you were the one that smashed the picture of you and Carly, and Patrick whom you were talking to for almost the whole night was the one who you let inside the house, that’s why the alarm didn’t go off. You longed for the same relationship that Carly and dad shared; you thought that the price of your life would be the only way to tell who was favored highly.
-Rita Morales
Detective: Jamie Madison, eldest of the three Madison kids, Attends Thomas Jefferson High School along with his two other siblings Allie Madison and Carly Madison.
Outlineof Crime: It was about one week away from Christmas day, and the Madison’s were all at home. Mr. and Mrs. Madison cuddling next to the fire place drinking hot cocoa. Jamie was upstairs practicing on his brand new guitar an early x-mas gift from mom and dad. Allie was on the phone with her Patrick. While Carly was practicing her choir solo for the up and coming Christmas concert held in Saint Michaels church. All of a sudden the lights die out “is everyone ok?” yells Mr. Madison, a loud shriek echoes around the Mansion. Its carly Mr. Madison says, he runs up the stairs rapid fire, but it’s too late the window was wide open and Carly was nowhere to be insight. “This can’t be happening again” says Mr. Madison. Although Jamie was distraught by Carly’s Ransom who couldn’t shake the feeling that the person whom had plotted this was very close to home. Jamie suspected that his sister Allie might have been involved what he couldn’t understand was why?
Clues: Smashed picture of Carly and her sister Allie. The year before Allie was held ransomed as well luckily she was returned home safely for the slight price of 100,000. The alarm did not go off, almost as if that person new the alarm.
Motive, Method and Opportunity
Motive: Allie and Carly always had a constant sibling rivalry, but the situation worsened after she was kidnapped last year
Method: What seemed to be Allies kidnapping last year was actually a prank that was being pulled by allies’ friends. When Allie was exposed to the truth Allie was furious at her friends, but that was when she created an elaborate plan. Her plan was to see how much her father was willing to pay for her ransom; she wanted to see how much money her father was disposed to pay. The second part of the plan was to execute the same ransom except with Allie to prove to herself once and for which daughter was favored highly
Opportunity: Everyone is some home during the winter break, no one would suspect her in the end she is her sister why would anyone suspect her.
Climax: The Madison’s are all at home awaiting the call of the person whom is holding carly ransom in order to negotiate the money exchange: Ring!!! “Hello” Mr. Madison replies “yes I’m listening”, we want 1, 000, 000 dollars for the safe returning of your daughter Carly, “You’ve got it”. Click, “wow dad a million bucks, not even with allies kidnapping” Jamie had already figured out that Allie was behind the ransom as well that Allies bf Patrick was helping her with this foolish scheme. Meanwhile upstairs Jamie enters allies room “hey Al are you feeling ok?” She replies “I’m fine just let me be” I Know your behind this, “Get out Jamie”. Mr. Madison enters the room “What’s going on her”. Allie broke down and confessed to her father what she had done.
Denouement: she explained to her father how jealous she was of his relationship with carly, and how she was upset of the larger sum that was offered for Carly’s ransom. She wanted to prove that there existed some sort of preference over Allie. Jamie: So you were the one that smashed the picture of you and Carly, and Patrick whom you were talking to for almost the whole night was the one who you let inside the house, that’s why the alarm didn’t go off. You longed for the same relationship that Carly and dad shared; you thought that the price of your life would be the only way to tell who was favored highly.
-Rita Morales
Unsloved Murder
1. Choose a time period and Locale: Beginning of the 2008 year, 1504 Woodbine street, Apartment # 2.
2. Develop a detective: A 25 year old man named Joshua Jackson, who has just been promoted to a detective. A tall, skinny man who loves his job and has always dreamed of being a detective, to help and save people.
3. Outline the crime: a 26 year old woman, Jennifer Vasquez, with 5 kids, spends the entire afternoon arguing with her husband, Jeffery Scott. Around 10:00 p.m. the screams of Jennifer begin followed by several gunshots and then there is silence. one of the neighbors calls the cops and a few minutes later the whole block is filled with police, ambuleneces and detectives. EMT comes out with Jeffery's body, but Jennifer's is found dead. Jeffery is rushed to the hospital and is worked on for several hours. He is knocked out for two days. When he awakes he screams for his wife and children, but police tell him she is dead. He screams and tells Detective Jackson that the masked guy on the fire escape, that might have been a robber or stalker, killed her and shot him. Detective Jackson feels that there is something wrong with this story and chooses not to believe Jeffery.
4. Include some clues: Detective Jackson searches the whole apartment and finds no sign of forced entry anywhere to suspect that was a third person involved in this murder. Detective Jackson decides to search for clues that point to Jeffery being the murderer. Detective Jackson then decides that he should speak to some of the nieghbors, so he heads upstairs to speak to the people on the third floor. He finds himself speaking to David Cruz, a man whose lived in the building for thirteen years with his wife and two children. David explains to the detective that his daughter heard the couple arguing and then she heard Jennifer screaming as if she was in massive pain. He stated that he had walked into his daughters room and gunshots had broke through the floor missing David by 2 inches. The Detective then decides to speak to David's Daughter, Ashley. Ashley states that she had heard the couple arguing heavily since the afternoon and she heard Jennifer telling Jeffery that she wanted to leave him, and then she heard Jeffery say that if she left he would kill her. she stated that everything went calm and around 10:30 p.m. she heard Jennifer screaming like crazy and then gunshots followed the screams. Ashley also stated that when the police came that night they brought the children upstairs and the oldest daughter, of six years, said that daddy had killed her mommy. The detective then went back downstairs and analyzed the apartment some more. He found a bloddy fingerprinted knife, the gun also with fingerprints and a bloody boot footprint, but there was no boots found in the whole apartment, which could mean that maybe there was someone else in the house that night.
5. Identify the MMO:
MOTIVE:
according to Jennifer's aunt, she had an affair with another man, Jeffery was a very jealous man who would beat Jennifer if any man had looked her way or for any other reason. So Jeffery felt that he would kill her if she left him.
METHOD:
Jennifer fell in love with someone else and she was going to leave Jeffery that same night. She had went and told someone what she was about to do, That person contacted Jeffery and told him what Jennifer's plans were.
OPPORTUNITY:
Jeffery had the greatest opportunity on that day because he had heard what they told him, and figured he would leave the house and wait for Jennifer to have someone else in the house, this way he can catch Jennifer in the act.
6. Identify the alibis of the suspects:
Jeffery Scott- Heard a rumor that his wife was planning on leaving him for her lover.
7.Provide a climax: After fully investigating the situation Detective Jackson feels that Jeffery Scoot, The husband, is indeed the murderer of Jennifer Vasquez. After Jeffery's arrest he is taken to a mini trial. The Judge feels that there are not enough witnesses and not enough evidence to convict Jeffery for the Murder of his wife, also they still need to investigate whose bloody boot footprints were found in the house.
2. Develop a detective: A 25 year old man named Joshua Jackson, who has just been promoted to a detective. A tall, skinny man who loves his job and has always dreamed of being a detective, to help and save people.
3. Outline the crime: a 26 year old woman, Jennifer Vasquez, with 5 kids, spends the entire afternoon arguing with her husband, Jeffery Scott. Around 10:00 p.m. the screams of Jennifer begin followed by several gunshots and then there is silence. one of the neighbors calls the cops and a few minutes later the whole block is filled with police, ambuleneces and detectives. EMT comes out with Jeffery's body, but Jennifer's is found dead. Jeffery is rushed to the hospital and is worked on for several hours. He is knocked out for two days. When he awakes he screams for his wife and children, but police tell him she is dead. He screams and tells Detective Jackson that the masked guy on the fire escape, that might have been a robber or stalker, killed her and shot him. Detective Jackson feels that there is something wrong with this story and chooses not to believe Jeffery.
4. Include some clues: Detective Jackson searches the whole apartment and finds no sign of forced entry anywhere to suspect that was a third person involved in this murder. Detective Jackson decides to search for clues that point to Jeffery being the murderer. Detective Jackson then decides that he should speak to some of the nieghbors, so he heads upstairs to speak to the people on the third floor. He finds himself speaking to David Cruz, a man whose lived in the building for thirteen years with his wife and two children. David explains to the detective that his daughter heard the couple arguing and then she heard Jennifer screaming as if she was in massive pain. He stated that he had walked into his daughters room and gunshots had broke through the floor missing David by 2 inches. The Detective then decides to speak to David's Daughter, Ashley. Ashley states that she had heard the couple arguing heavily since the afternoon and she heard Jennifer telling Jeffery that she wanted to leave him, and then she heard Jeffery say that if she left he would kill her. she stated that everything went calm and around 10:30 p.m. she heard Jennifer screaming like crazy and then gunshots followed the screams. Ashley also stated that when the police came that night they brought the children upstairs and the oldest daughter, of six years, said that daddy had killed her mommy. The detective then went back downstairs and analyzed the apartment some more. He found a bloddy fingerprinted knife, the gun also with fingerprints and a bloody boot footprint, but there was no boots found in the whole apartment, which could mean that maybe there was someone else in the house that night.
5. Identify the MMO:
MOTIVE:
according to Jennifer's aunt, she had an affair with another man, Jeffery was a very jealous man who would beat Jennifer if any man had looked her way or for any other reason. So Jeffery felt that he would kill her if she left him.
METHOD:
Jennifer fell in love with someone else and she was going to leave Jeffery that same night. She had went and told someone what she was about to do, That person contacted Jeffery and told him what Jennifer's plans were.
OPPORTUNITY:
Jeffery had the greatest opportunity on that day because he had heard what they told him, and figured he would leave the house and wait for Jennifer to have someone else in the house, this way he can catch Jennifer in the act.
6. Identify the alibis of the suspects:
Jeffery Scott- Heard a rumor that his wife was planning on leaving him for her lover.
7.Provide a climax: After fully investigating the situation Detective Jackson feels that Jeffery Scoot, The husband, is indeed the murderer of Jennifer Vasquez. After Jeffery's arrest he is taken to a mini trial. The Judge feels that there are not enough witnesses and not enough evidence to convict Jeffery for the Murder of his wife, also they still need to investigate whose bloody boot footprints were found in the house.
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