Commentary on P.D. James' : Who killed the golden age of crime?

Question 1

how is literature described by a character in Alan Bennet’s play ‘FORTY YEARS’?

Answer 1

‘snobbery with violence - detective is expected to be a gentleman, clear social distinction
-invariably educated at the right school and university

Question 2

P.D. James describes detective stories of the interwar years as ‘paradoxical’. Why? Explain.

Answer 2

detective stories of the interwar were paradoxical - deal with violence and death (dark themes) but still remain novels of escape.. enter a world of recognised morality in with evil is exposed and disposed of in a way that preserves and ‘English world were all problems will be solved and peace and normality restored in that imaginary, postlapsarian Eden’
-detectives + those detective adjacent (crime readers) take glorified attempts to solve macabre murders, indulging readers however simultaneously achieving the effect of trivialising the crime

Question 3

what are modern crime story influenced by and how has this effected detection?

Answer 3

scientific and technological advances/ developments.. changed the role of the detective - harder? easier? more obstacles?

Question 4

Give key ingredients of a Golden Age novel

Answer 4

• a murder
• a closed circle of suspects
• a detective that arrives like an ‘avenging deity’
• a convincing solution
• formulaic