For week 14, I have decided to do a close reading on the last third of the book I read called "The Big Sleep." A lot happened in the last third of this book and some of it was confusing at first, but then made sense at the end. A passage in this story that I was confused with was when Phillip Marlo (Riley) took Carmen Sternwood out to the sumps in the middle of no where near her house. The whole reason behind this was so Riley could teach her how to shoot a gun. However, he was one step ahead of her. The moment she got her hands on the gun, she aimed for Riley. Riley had put 5 blanks in the gun though so when she shot at him intending to kill him, nothing came out. From there, Riley was able to get ahold of her and get her under control.
This scene to me was sort of a break in action but also a resolution to the story. Because this happened, Riley found out that what he thought about Carmen was true but he was also able to tell this info to Vivian, her sister, in hopes that she could provide some help. The events that had happened previously in the story line up to this one and how things almost went bad, however I was not expecting that at first until I thought about it more deeply. This scene is very important in understanding our characters. It proves that Riley was the smartest character throughout the whole story and it shows what Carmen's true intentions were towards him. He outsmarted her like he did to many characters in the story. The only other moments in the text like this one is when Geiger and Brady got killed. However, this situation wasn't as bad since nobody got killed.
Hi Logan!
ReplyDeleteI also read "The Big Sleep" and am still a little confused as to when exactly he put together that Carmen had these "fits of rage". I see how the story comes together, but it seemed like his conclusion came out of no where. Marlowe was definitely one step ahead of everyone else most of the way, but I am still a little thrown off by the ending.
Hi, Logan!
ReplyDeleteIf I'm not mistaken, I read your notes last week and I also read someone else's analysis on this story. You guys made me want to read this story really bad! It seems like lots of fun, mystery and plot twists, what is awesome!!
I liked reading your notes because it proved my preconception of plot twists in the story. I can't wait to read this book!
Thanks for sharing your post!
Hi Logan!
ReplyDeleteI did not read this story but it sounds interesting. I feel like it would be a novel that has you sitting on the edge of your seat, while reading this section, when Carmen tried to kill Riley. Thankfully he was a step ahead of her and smarter then she thought he was. Great job and thank you for sharing.
Hi Logan. This book sounds interesting. I don't recall reading it before. That is crazy that Riley was teaching Carmen how to shoot a gun and then she tried to kill him. I would think she is angry with him about something and it is smart at least that Riley had blanks in the gun, but I wonder why he would teach her to shoot a gun if she hates him. Very weird and interesting. Thanks for sharing.
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