Detective Fiction Genres and Literary Tropes

English Detective Fiction: The Enigma

In English detective fiction, also known as the enigma, the detective must solve a puzzle. This character is presented as an idle individual, acting either independently or upon request. Typically a cultured and intelligent person, they engage in an intellectual duel with the offender. The characters involved usually belong to the upper-middle class.

American Noir: The Hardboiled Style

The American police story, or noir (black), is represented in the underworld—a set of criminals, rogues, and villains who live outside the law. Historically, it is located during the economic crisis of 1929 in the United States. In this genre, the detective goes beyond the limits of the law and ethics, navigating major cities depicted as dens of corruption. The female character is a pivotal figure in these narratives.

French Police and Institutional Suspense

French police fiction represents an institution rather than a lone individual. Compared to other types of crime fiction, it features more suspense, greater adventures, and frequent persecutions.

Essential Rules of Detective Fiction

• 1. There must be few characters (up to six).
• 2. The details of the crime must be clearly declared.
• 3. Do not delve into excessive detail.
• 4. The focus must be on how the crime was committed rather than who committed it.
• 5. There must be modesty in the depiction of death.
• 6. The story must feature a surprise ending.

The Development of Argentine Police Fiction

Argentine police stories have been written since the 19th century, but they became significant in the 20th century following the arrival of British influences. From the 1950s and 1960s onward, the genre began to incorporate more distinctively Argentine characteristics.

The Theme of the Double and the Alter Ego

The topic of the double, often associated with "the waiting," arises through the presence of dreams and film, with which the character identifies. It consists of confronting the individual with an alter ego—a manifestation of the actual or unconscious self. This may reveal a negative or dark side, much like a splitting mirror that returns a more complete picture of the self. It illustrates the conflict between the individual and their environment, where similarity involves the necessity of entering society and being accepted, while differences represent hidden desires and the fear of failing to integrate.

Science Fiction and Fantastic Literature

Science Fiction

• Extraterrestrial beings.
• Resolving unexplained issues occurring in the future.
• Technological and scientific revolutions.

Fantastic Stories

• Unexplainable events that cannot be resolved.
• Reality suddenly bursts or shifts.
• Unusual events that impact the reader.
• Themes such as ghosts, dreams, reality changes, and doubles.