Corruption In The Big Sleep

The corruption of the 1930s was often present regardless if people wanted to believe it or not. “The Big Sleep” written by Raymond Chandler is about a private detective trying to solve a blackmailing case for a private detective why trying to uncover the corruption of those around him. Throughout the novel Chandler questions the credibility of the police. In the Big Sleep Raymond Chandler uses Philip Marlowe as the immoral yet heroic protagonist to cover the oppressive and corrupt society of the 1930s Los Angeles.

A major theme of "The Big Sleep" is the role of Marlowe as an immoral but heroic protagonist. His immorality is found in his alcoholism and his tactics to protect unethical behavior. Marlowe drinks heavily throughout the novel and

on the very first page Marlowe notifies the reader that drinking is a habit of his. "I was neat, clean, shaved and sober, and I didn't care who knew it " (pg 3). This quote implies that he was not always this way and would mean that he drinks regularly. After this quote Marlowe finds several occasions to drink liquor. Marlowe also hides things that are unethical. One example of this behavior occurs when Marlowe doesn't tell the police about Mars' various illegal acts. In a conversation between Mars and Marlowe, Mars ask if Marlowe covered for him and he responds “ I did. I'm damned if I know why. I guess it was just complicated enough without you” (pg 117). Because Marlowe keeps this information secret, he keeps Mars from being held responsible for his actions. This evidence proves that Marlowe is immoral because of his alcoholism and his tendency to cover unethical behavior.

While Marlowe may be unethical he is still the heroic figure in the novel.

Marlowe doesn't take advantage of either of the Sternwood sisters. This self-control is a rare occurrence in the novel. He also seeks the truth in a world where everyone else is trying to hide it. His occupation is virtuous in itself. After Vivian tries to become sensual with Marlowe, he says "That's the way it is. Kissing is nice, but your father didn't hire me to sleep with you." (pg 151), soon after Marlowe is stunned coming home to a naked Carmen waiting in his bed. When Carmen tries to coax Marlowe into having sex with her, he examines a chessboard and makes a move with the knight. Later in their conversation Marlowe decides that "[t]he move with the knight was wrong. I put it back where I had moved it from. Knights had no meaning in this game. It wasn't a game for knights" (pg 156). In this example Marlowe is the knight (the virtuous man that fights for justice) and the game of chess is a symbol for the environment of Los Angeles in the 1930's. Marlowe actions and words show that an ethical modern-day knight has no place in the corrupt Los Angeles. This quote shows how Marlowe is a hero in this story. Because he is a "knight" he was able to turn down the Sternwood sisters and search for truth alone in the dark jungle of Los Angeles. These attributes make him the hero of The Big

Sleep.

"The Big Sleep" written by Raymond Chandler emphasizes the problems with society in 1930's Los Angeles. The book tells a story about blackmail, deceit, and murder. Chandler shows the reader how the world is corrupt throughout the levels of society but one figure (marlowe) could persevere through it all. His main character Marlowe is struggling to be a hero in such an immoral world. Marlowe is not a perfect knight, but he fights for understanding by his own set of unorthodox morals.