Literary devices
Allusion to Oedipus Complex
Patricia Highsmith alludes to the Oedipus Complex throughout the entire book. The term Oedipus Complex comes from the Greek myth about Oedipus. In the story about Oedipus, he is completes the prophecy that states he will kill his father and then end up marrying his mother. Although this is not exactly what the book is about, there are some very distinct connections to this myth. In the book, Bruno wants his father dead, and although he was not the actually person to kill him, he was the one to come up with the plan to kill him. Bruno also has a very close relationship with his mother that could relate to Oedipus marrying his mother. The relationship between Bruno and his mother is not quite as gross, but Bruno does live with his mom, and the book makes references that they have shared the same bed.
Symbolism
Although this book is made up of a majority plot, Patricia Highsmith does have some key symbols in her novel. One of the main symbols in her book is Bruno, who symbolizes a devil figure. Bruno can be seen as the devil that tries to corrupt good people, in this case Guy. He constantly brings up his plans for murder, and gets Guy involved in the murder of Miriam even after Guy told him no. The opposite of Bruno is Anne, who symbolizes a Christ figure. Anne is always described as the happiness for Guy, and she is constantly trying to get Guy to confess the truth about everything. Throughout the entire book, Guy is forced to make his decisions with Anne on one shoulder and Bruno on the other.
Juxtaposition
Juxtaposition is also present with the characters of Anne and Bruno. Both of these people have a very big role in the book and are influential to Guy when decisions have to be made. However, their methods and personalities are complete opposites. Anne is the type of person who is always happy and wants people to be honest and trustworthy at all times, whereas Bruno is always thinking about death and creates elaborate lies for no reason some times. These two characters are continuously being put in situations with Guy where their ideas are completely different, and they force Guy do decide who he thinks he should remain loyal to.
Suspense
Patricia Highsmith does an exemplary job at creating suspense throughout the book. The readers relentlessly want to read more of the book to find out what will happen next. She creates suspense when Bruno is planning to kill Miriam and when Guy is deciding if he should stick with the plan Bruno made up, or turn Bruno into the police and face whatever consequences there are. There is always a sense of what will happen next when the book is read. This makes it addicting to the readers, because they become obsessed with how the book will end.
Patricia Highsmith alludes to the Oedipus Complex throughout the entire book. The term Oedipus Complex comes from the Greek myth about Oedipus. In the story about Oedipus, he is completes the prophecy that states he will kill his father and then end up marrying his mother. Although this is not exactly what the book is about, there are some very distinct connections to this myth. In the book, Bruno wants his father dead, and although he was not the actually person to kill him, he was the one to come up with the plan to kill him. Bruno also has a very close relationship with his mother that could relate to Oedipus marrying his mother. The relationship between Bruno and his mother is not quite as gross, but Bruno does live with his mom, and the book makes references that they have shared the same bed.
Symbolism
Although this book is made up of a majority plot, Patricia Highsmith does have some key symbols in her novel. One of the main symbols in her book is Bruno, who symbolizes a devil figure. Bruno can be seen as the devil that tries to corrupt good people, in this case Guy. He constantly brings up his plans for murder, and gets Guy involved in the murder of Miriam even after Guy told him no. The opposite of Bruno is Anne, who symbolizes a Christ figure. Anne is always described as the happiness for Guy, and she is constantly trying to get Guy to confess the truth about everything. Throughout the entire book, Guy is forced to make his decisions with Anne on one shoulder and Bruno on the other.
Juxtaposition
Juxtaposition is also present with the characters of Anne and Bruno. Both of these people have a very big role in the book and are influential to Guy when decisions have to be made. However, their methods and personalities are complete opposites. Anne is the type of person who is always happy and wants people to be honest and trustworthy at all times, whereas Bruno is always thinking about death and creates elaborate lies for no reason some times. These two characters are continuously being put in situations with Guy where their ideas are completely different, and they force Guy do decide who he thinks he should remain loyal to.
Suspense
Patricia Highsmith does an exemplary job at creating suspense throughout the book. The readers relentlessly want to read more of the book to find out what will happen next. She creates suspense when Bruno is planning to kill Miriam and when Guy is deciding if he should stick with the plan Bruno made up, or turn Bruno into the police and face whatever consequences there are. There is always a sense of what will happen next when the book is read. This makes it addicting to the readers, because they become obsessed with how the book will end.