Point of View

The entire novel is narrated in the first person by the main protagonist Philip Marlowe. The first person narrative form used by the author serves more than one purpose. First of all, the vehicle itself is fashioned around the character of Philip Marlowe. As such, he is the primary subject of the novel; someone larger than life. It stands to reason, then, that he would tell his own story more effectively than someone else. Secondly, Marlowe is established for the reader as a private investigator first and foremost. Therefore, any anecdotal information is going to be conveyed in that particular manner. That is to say, the character's account of events as they happen read like case notes from one of Marlowe's investigations. As with anyone in his line of work, Marlowe pays special attention to time of day and is a meticulous observer of small details...