Lord Peter Wimsey: Difference between revisions
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Lord Peter Wimsey is the 2nd son of the duke of Denver and is therefore part of the upper-class establishment, as are other | Lord Peter Wimsey is the 2nd son of the duke of Denver and is therefore part of the upper-class establishment, as are other Golden-Age detectives. Lord Peter has many facets. He graduated from the University of Oxford and is a man of wit and charm and a gentleman scholar. He also loves rare books and is known for his verbal playfulness. Lord Peter is supported by private income and therefore he can afford to be a professional detective and an amateur at the same time. While solving a case, he works closely with Inspector Parker from Scotland Yard (later his brother-in-law). It is one of his character traits that he has a feeling of self-disgust when he believes that he has solved a case. Before that happens it seems to be a necessity for him to solve it. In contrast to other detectives of the Golden Age, Lord Peter undergoes a marked transition throughout the novels. He does not lack a certain depth of character and his experiences promote changes in and development of his character. Lord Peter remains a bachelor until he meets Harriet Vane in ''Strong Poison'' (1929). She is a writer of mystery books and Lord Peter has to clear her of a murder charge before he can start to court her. The development of their relationship is especially focused on in ''Gaudy Night'' (1935) and ''Busman's Honeymoon'' (1937). | ||
There were several attempts to detect the origin of Lord Peter Wimsey by identifying him with friends of Sayers. But there are also enough arguments to claim that the origin of Lord Peter Wimsey can be seen in the novel ''Trent’s Last Case'' by E.C. Bentley. Although the two detectives differ in many aspects, there are also several parallels between Lord Peter and Philip Trent. Their style and method as detectives are similar and Trent also has this feeling of self-disgust, which Lord Peter has after having solved a case. | There were several attempts to detect the origin of Lord Peter Wimsey by identifying him with friends of Sayers. But there are also enough arguments to claim that the origin of Lord Peter Wimsey can be seen in the novel ''Trent’s Last Case'' (1913) by E.C. Bentley. Although the two detectives differ in many aspects, there are also several parallels between Lord Peter and Philip Trent. Their style and method as detectives are similar and Trent also has this feeling of self-disgust, which Lord Peter has after having solved a case. | ||
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Literature: | Literature: | ||
"Lord Peter Wimsey", ''Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online Academic Edition.'' Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 16 Jan. 2012. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1408805/Lord-Peter-Wimsey>. | |||
Reynolds, Barbara, | Reynolds, Barbara, "The Origin of Lord Peter Wimsey", ''The Times Literary Supplement'' 3919 (1977): 492. | ||
Scaggs, John, ''Crime Fiction'', London: Routledge 2005. | Scaggs, John, ''Crime Fiction'', London: Routledge 2005. | ||
Revision as of 15:33, 23 January 2012
Full name Peter Death Bredon Wimsey. Protagonist of Dorothy L. Sayers's works of detective fiction. Lord Peter solves murder cases assisted by his loyal manservant Mervyn Bunter. Wimsey is shell-shocked after having served in the First World War and he has flashbacks while he solves the cases.
Lord Peter Wimsey is the 2nd son of the duke of Denver and is therefore part of the upper-class establishment, as are other Golden-Age detectives. Lord Peter has many facets. He graduated from the University of Oxford and is a man of wit and charm and a gentleman scholar. He also loves rare books and is known for his verbal playfulness. Lord Peter is supported by private income and therefore he can afford to be a professional detective and an amateur at the same time. While solving a case, he works closely with Inspector Parker from Scotland Yard (later his brother-in-law). It is one of his character traits that he has a feeling of self-disgust when he believes that he has solved a case. Before that happens it seems to be a necessity for him to solve it. In contrast to other detectives of the Golden Age, Lord Peter undergoes a marked transition throughout the novels. He does not lack a certain depth of character and his experiences promote changes in and development of his character. Lord Peter remains a bachelor until he meets Harriet Vane in Strong Poison (1929). She is a writer of mystery books and Lord Peter has to clear her of a murder charge before he can start to court her. The development of their relationship is especially focused on in Gaudy Night (1935) and Busman's Honeymoon (1937).
There were several attempts to detect the origin of Lord Peter Wimsey by identifying him with friends of Sayers. But there are also enough arguments to claim that the origin of Lord Peter Wimsey can be seen in the novel Trent’s Last Case (1913) by E.C. Bentley. Although the two detectives differ in many aspects, there are also several parallels between Lord Peter and Philip Trent. Their style and method as detectives are similar and Trent also has this feeling of self-disgust, which Lord Peter has after having solved a case.
Literature:
"Lord Peter Wimsey", Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 16 Jan. 2012. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1408805/Lord-Peter-Wimsey>.
Reynolds, Barbara, "The Origin of Lord Peter Wimsey", The Times Literary Supplement 3919 (1977): 492.
Scaggs, John, Crime Fiction, London: Routledge 2005.