The Women of Detective Fiction

Here again we have another interesting role played by a women. In the first section of City of Glass Auster introduces Mrs. Stillman whom is the wife of Mr. Stillman, a man who had a troubled childhood thanks to his father which handicapped him both in mental and physical ways. Mr. Stillman’s character is interesting enough but Mrs. Stillman is who stood out to me, especially when I compare this work to the detective/ noir works that we looked at thus far.

Mrs. Stillman comes across write out of that gate as a strong, independent, respected woman, who is the rock that holds Mr. Stillman together. She seems to be in charge and the mastermind of the plan to protect or to do what we think is protecting Mr. Stillman from his father, the root of all his problems in the first place. I find my self wondering, as I read, what the significance of this woman playing such a dominant role is. She, like many of the other women we have met in our studies thus far, is mysterious, mischievous, they make you want so bad to trust them but for some reason I just don’t.

Also, I am curious to know what significance, if any, the kiss that Mrs. Stillman gives Quinn as he is leaving their house. I wonder if this theme will play out more as I continue to read tonight or if she uses this against Quinn to manipulate him in a certain way; I’m not sure were Auster is going with this, I just find it interesting that in every story we have covered has had some situation were a women, most often not known by detective/ protagonist previous to the investigation, and thus far each any every one has had something to do with the cause of the entire situation that is being investigated. Interesting isn’t it? Or maybe it’s not so interesting, maybe a lack of originality? Or maybe, just maybe it is the sing of a great piece of art within the noir/ detective genre. I will choose to with hold my final judgment until I have had more experience with the genre, time/ one more novel, will tell me more.