William Shakespeare s The Big Sleep - 1447 Words

characters in the novel think of themselves as macho. Men in the Big Sleep are forced to act tough because it was the only way to survive in gritty Los Angeles during this period. Although the streets were mean at the time, men had to be meaner. Masculinity in the novel is important, especially when one analyzes women in the novel. Marlowe has made it clear many times throughout the novel that he does not like women. â€Å"Women make me sick† (Chandler, 118). Unfortunately in a patriarchal country, putting down women is part of the heteronormative stigma of men. Chandler describes women in this novel as sexually alluring and dangerous. One can argue the character of Marlowe is homophobic, something not uncommon for that time†¦show more content†¦Although Marlowe makes it very clear he does not respect women, and now that the issue of homophobia is raised, one can infer how he sexually feels about women. It can appear as confusing to the reader, as he refuses women sexually numerous times throughout the novel. Does Marlowe reject and despise women because of the ideals at the time, or is he not actually attracted to them? For example, when Marlowe comes home to Carmen naked in his bed, he is completely unmoved by her bold visit. By turning down these sexual temptations, it can both illustrate and reinforce Marlowe’s honest identity, or it could be a deeper meaning about his attraction towards women. â€Å"It’s so hard for women – even nice women – to realize that their bodies are not irresistible† (Chandler, 115). In the milieu from the time period, the audience is exposed to a fragile part of Marlowe’s life: the absence of a home. We also learn this when Marlowe comes home to Carmen naked in his bed. After she finally leaves, Marlowe illustrates having Carmen in that bed made him mad because his home was all he had. It is this time when Marlowe is alone in his house after Carmen leaves that he realizes how vulnerable he is. Marlowe realizes his apartment is the only place he really has that he could go to: â€Å"Everything in it was mine, that had an association for me, any past, anything that took the place of a family. Not much; a few books, pictures†¦ they all had my memories†