The Beauty and Complexity in Crime Fiction Literature

Crime fiction is a genre that appears straightforward and generic, but at a deeper level, the complex characters and relationships portrayed in this genre, offer commentary on the role of gender and socioeconomic disparity at different points in history. The Skull Beneath the Skin by P.D. James and Anil’s Ghost by Michael Ondaatje explore the inner torment experienced by strong female characters as narrated by the relationships with the people around them. Furthermore, the texts explore themes such as abuse of power and the nature of truth which highlight how inequality and crime, is an enduring narrative through different social contexts. The film, Atomic Blonde, encapsulates these themes and also provides a backdrop to highlight the increasing representation of women in crime fiction and extended to society as a whole. Atomic Blonde is progressive in its portrayal of female characters who are concurrently dominant and sensual. This text demonstrates how gender constructs and power differentials in a male dominated world can be dismantled. These gender subversions enhance crime fiction texts as they highlight how gender stereotypes or lack thereof, further the power struggle between the victim, detective and criminal. Moreover, these characters grapple with the gender and status expectations of their times, which in some cases inhibit them from achieving justice or further their involvement in crime. They question whether ‘true’ justice is ever achieved and rather emphasise internal growth and justice within the characters. The complexity of crime fiction allows this medium to challenge broader societal and cultural discourses.

These texts explore power imbalance, the human race’s obsession with power and how the pursuit of power can lead to a path of violence and destruction. Anil’s Ghost explores the effects of civil war when an expatriate forensic analyst, Anil, and her ‘guide’ Sarath, uncover mass genocide. In Anil’s Ghost there is a clear abuse of power by the Sri Lankan Government, who use their authority to commit mass murders. The government compromises its integrity and loses the the trust of its citizens. Sarath infers the degradation and corruption of Sri Lankan society when he states: “This was a very civilised country.” Anil also explores her own actions and those of her country when she questions “And in any case, if they did identify him...the details of his murder, what then? He was a victim among thousands” . The rhetorical question and dramatic pause emphasise how the Government’s abuse of power and the insurgents’ hunger for power have left her and the rest of Sri Lankan society helpless and displaced. The dramatic pause is also crucial in understanding Anil’s predicament and fear when she registers the ramifications of her decisions. The reflection also provides insight into Anil’s anxious state of mind and her disillusionment with her country. Her search for truth and closure is difficult, with her observing “doors that should be open are closed”. The doors, symbols of truth and transparency, are closed by an all-powerful government. The thoughts and ideas of these Sri Lankan characters bring to the forefront the power struggle between the Government and the Insurgents and highlight how these struggling citizens are left marginalised. Ondaatje uses the perceptions of Anil, Sarath, Gamini and Ananda to highlight and contrast individual resistance to oppression.

Furthermore, in Anil’s Ghost, Anil experiences conflicting thoughts and ideas about the reality of truth. She is immersed in political corruption where the truth about one corpse,Sailor, has minimal bearing. She finds it hard to trust anyone in Sri Lanka, especially Sarath, but simultaneously acknowledges that no one trusts her - the traitor and outsider. The mistrust within the Sri Lankan society further deepens Anil’s isolation and fuels her anxiety about returning to her homeland and discovering what happened to Sailor. Sarath reflects “Most of the time in our world, truth is just opinion” which highlights the obscurity and flexibility of truth - that truth is, at its essence is in the eye of its beholder. In contrast, the quote “One village can speak for many villages. One victim can speak for many victims” through personification, emphasises how truth is eventually revealed, when enough dead bodies and silenced villages are given voice. Ondaatje’s portrayal of the complexities of truth in this corrupt society places the onus on readers to define their own moral compass to navigate the dilemmas experienced by the characters.

Abuse of power is also a key theme in the novel Skull Beneath the Skin with the antagonist, Ambrose Gorringe utilising his status in society to commit manslaughter and escape conviction. The main female character of the novel, Cordelia, grapples with her position in a male dominated world which impedes her from self-actualisation and furthers her internal anxieties, reducing her to helplessness. Cordelia’s character struggles to procure justice at the hand of Ambrose who uses the isolation of the island to remove her from the safety of the rest of society. The power struggle between the protagonist and her foe, reaches its climax, “This was his island, his castle. He was in command. He had illuminated it as if to celebrate and exult in his mastery” which emphasises how the setting of the island plays a crucial role in portraying Ambrose’s inescapable power. Death and isolation surrounds her and Cordelia discovers she cannot rise above the cloak of power Ambrose has over the justice system. Cordelia, the amateur detective ponders, “Already he was rejoicing in the release from boredom, buoyant with the euphoria of success. He would buy the best advice, the most prestigious lawyers... And if he succeeded, how would he live with the memory of what he had done? Easily enough. As easily as Clarissa had lived with the memory of Viccy’s death.” These conflicting thoughts and questions, emphasise how Ambrose will not be atoning for his actions and how his abuse of power protects him from prosecution. Therefore, P.D James’ use of setting and his stark contrast of power and helplessness, introduces readers to the internal and external plight of women in their struggle for justice and equality.

The Skull Beneath the Skin also explores the qualities of truth and how truth and deception are critical elements in the crime fiction genre. Cordelia, upon her arrival at Courcy Island is isolated and alone, unable to trust anyone. Her unique role as a private investigator, working under the guise of a secretary, implicates her in the facade of truth from the very beginning of novel. She acknowledges the tension between gaining the trust of other residents and her role to uncover the truth when she states “They probably wouldn’t even want to eat with me. A private eye is hardly a comfortable dining companion.” Throughout the novel, the characters form their own truths, as a means to free their guilty consciences. The quote “I think we should tell the truth. Lying to the police is not as easy as it sounds...We have to agree on the same lies. That’s apart from any moral considerations.” emphasises the complexity of truth through irony and satire. Thus, P.D James’ novel portrays the fluidity of truth through complex characters who, in their isolation, mould their own truth to satisfy their agendas and to appease their own angst.

Atomic Blonde portrays strong female protagonists who ultimately achieve their own justice despite their personal struggles. This postmodern characterisation, deviates from the expected cultural context of the Cold War. The film contrasts with Anil’s Ghost and The Skull Beneath the Skin, where the main character, Lorraine Broughton, dominates the Berlin landscape against the backdrop of a war for power between the East and the West, the KGB and the Allies. With little jurisdiction, she is able to operate freely, pursuing justice for the Americans. Atomic Blonde also provides insight into how crime is committed on different levels, between the two groups of Berliners and on another level, between spies of opposing countries. During the Cold War, information was power and so whoever had the information, regardless of their gender, had the power. The metaphor in the quote “He had an atomic bomb of information.” emphasises the magnitude of power in society and the associated responsibility in having that power - an internal struggle that Anil and Cordelia both experience. Furthermore, the role reversal between men and women is evident in the quote, “Don’t shoot, I’ve got your shoe” . This clever use of humour and symbolism demonstrates how Lorraine can hold both power and femininity simultaneously. A low shot is used in this scene to portray her power, with Lorraine trapped in a car and still managing to overpower Percival. However, femininity is also challenged by the antagonist, David Percival, who argues “Women are always getting in the way of progress, aren’t they?” which highlights how gender discrimination and inequality was still prevalent. Thus, the film is a medium in which themes such as the complexity and nature of power diminishes gender hierarchies amidst social and cultural change.

The lack of truth in Atomic Blonde provides commentary into the social context and the power struggles between the United States and Russia during the Cold War. Truth is a recurring theme throughout the narrative, with a voice over of Ronald Reagan’s speech, setting the tone for the rest of the film. He states “We don’t mistrust each other because we’re armed; we’re armed because we mistrust each other.” The quote “trust no-one” recurs throughout the film and stresses how these characters, especially Lorraine, will never be able to have meaningful relationships with others and rather live a life of isolation. This idea is also paralleled in Anil’s character and her opposition against the Government which makes it hard for her to trust others. The film highlights the repercussions of discovering the truth and the inner torment and isolation these characters experience as a result of the lives they live and their positions in society.

Therefore, these texts, Anil’s Ghost, The Skull Beneath the Skin and Atomic Blonde portray strong female characters who remain isolated in the worlds in which they live. The themes of abuse of power and the complex nature of truth, bring to the forefront the external and internal struggles associated with lives of crime and the pursuit for justice. The female characters are culturally ahead of their times and grapple with the stereotypes within their societies. These progressive fictional texts, and crime fiction as a genre, challenge readers to question their own assumptions of truth and power.