Detectives in Chinatown, and in The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo

Introduction

Detective fiction is a sub-genre of crime fiction, thriller, and mystery, in which a professional or private detective investigates a crime, deals with real-world struggles, and gains information or evidence through various methods and techniques in the process of investigations. Interestingly, most detectives in the fictional genre are male; well-known examples include J. J. Gittes, Dupin, Spade, Holmes, etc. Female roles have often been portrayed as emotional, naive, and irrational, often as victims in crimes. However, in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," the opposite is shown, as the detective is a woman. Unlike in the film "Chinatown," where the detective is a man, this comparison is dedicated to analyzing two detectives in "Chinatown" and "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." Both are famous, with notable differences and similarities. This paper will examine and compare both male and female roles and characters as detectives, shedding light on their methods of solving crimes and the different approaches of both detectives in fictional crimes.

Detective in "Chinatown"

The role of the male detective in the film "Chinatown" plays a remarkable aspect of hard-boiled detective fiction. The main character, J. J. Gittes, is a private detective hired to investigate the case of Mulwray's murder. Gittes starts by investigating people close to Mulwray, such as his wife, his business partner, and his employees. Gittes employs various methods to obtain information from these individuals, often engaging them in conversation to glean useful hints from their words. In the film, Gittes visits the victim's house, his workplace, and the crime scene, following any clue he knows and looking for details that could help solve the case, even if it means sneaking into offices and searching through drawers for clues. His tactics include using emotional manipulation to get close to Evelyn, Mulwray's wife, to determine if she could be a suspect in her husband's murder. Ultimately, his investigative methods lead him to uncover the case's real truth. Through conversations with Evelyn, Gittes reveals the entire truth. Gittes's role as a detective involves challenging her about what she is hiding and why. His ability to gather and conclude information through controversy with others sets him apart. Gittes is characterized by his courage; he does not fear exposing himself to society and is willing to sacrifice to find even a small detail or clue. He enjoys deep conversations to understand others' thoughts and intentions. Throughout the film, Gittes appears fearless, willing to venture into forbidden places and face the consequences, as long as it leads to solving the case. He is depicted as a daring figure who confronts people about their mistakes, embodying the role of a male detective who is unafraid to reveal himself and the truth about the guilty.

Detective in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"

In contrast, the role of the female detective in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is portrayed through Lisbeth Salander, a private detective initially hired to investigate a journalist named Mikael Blomkvist. She later collaborates with him to solve a mysterious case from 40 years ago involving a girl's disappearance. Both detectives, Salander and Blomkvist, work together to gather information and evidence, each using their methods. However, Salander plays a significant role with her unique investigative skills. Salander is a genius computer hacker, using her skills to gather information and detect evidence about people. She can access comprehensive information about a person's life by hacking their accounts and uncovering details about their private lives. Stieg Larsson, the author, portrays Salander with spectacular intelligence and a wide imagination. "Her ability to gather information was sheer magic. She knew the bureaucratic archives inside out. Above all, she had the ability to get under the skin of the person she was investigating. If there was any dirt to be dug up, she would home in on it like a cruise missile" (Larsson, 2008, p. 27). Thus, Larsson illustrates her as an astonishing female character with a vigorous sense of investigation, clearly demonstrated through her technological skills. "When she was working at the computer her fingers flew over the keys" (Larsson, 2008, p. 28). We can infer that Salander's role relies on her hacking knowledge and technology skills. Furthermore, Salander's detective work is almost entirely hidden, and she rarely appears in front of people. Her computer-based investigations reflect her insurgent and socially outcast character, as she does not communicate much with others. As mentioned in the book, Salander does not have family or friends and is not someone who encourages friendship (Larsson, 2008, p. 39). Therefore, Salander's role as a detective is both strange and unique; she can investigate and solve problems using only her mind and computer, without revealing herself to the world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, although both detectives share similarities, such as possessing characteristics that set them apart from the average individual, enabling them to extend the capabilities of the human brain to become exceptional detectives, their roles are presented differently in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and "Chinatown." Salander and Gittes employ various investigative methods. The male role in "Chinatown" is portrayed as a courageous man, well-known in society, whom everyone recognizes as a detective. This is evident when a woman visits his office, requesting his investigation services. He relies on his sense of touch and sight through visual observation. Furthermore, as a male detective, he cannot uncover the truth without the confessions of those he confronts, and his relationships with them help him gather clues and information to understand the case. His approach is to gain people's trust and extract information from them, socializing to learn what he wants. On the other hand, the female detective in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," Salander, is characterized as an anti-social figure, unknown to many, lacking family or friends, possibly explaining her reliance on computers for work. She does not engage with those she investigates or suspects; instead, she hacks their accounts to access their private lives and gather information using technology. This may stem from her fear of societal judgment due to her unconventional character. As a result, she prefers to remain hidden. Typically, women prefer to stay away when engaging in activities unfamiliar to society, avoiding judgment for who they are and what they do, like Lisbeth Salander. In contrast, men enjoy showcasing themselves and gaining popularity, as J. J. Gittes does. Nevertheless, women often prove to be cleverer and accomplish more successful investigative achievements. Thus, the distinction between the roles of male and female detectives is evident, with each possessing unique characteristics in their investigative processes.

References

• Larsson, S. (2008). The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Knopf.
• Towne, R. (Writer), & Polanski, R. (Director). (1974). Chinatown [Film]. Paramount Pictures.