English 101 Blog# 2

            In the novel Double Indemnity by author James M. Cain, in classic, or typical noir fashion, the story is set in Los Angeles, California.We find the lead character Walter Huff, an insurance agent to be a little shady, whom seems to be a natural born hustler from the start. Walter visits the home of Mr. Nerdlinger where upon arriving, he finds that Mr. Nerdlinger is not home. That is when Walter meets Phyllis Nerdlinger, the spouse of Mr. Nerdlinger. From the very onset of their meeting Walter fixes his sites on her as he describes her figure and how it is enough to drive any man wild. While talking with Phyllis she asks the seedy insurance agent if his company offers accident insurance? On this premise Walter new exactly what Phyllis had in mind. After this inquiry is where the plot begins to thicken.

            Phyllis pays Walter a visit and he let's her know that he is on to her play to kill Mr. Nerdlinger. She adamantly denies, and acts insulted by Walter's accusations. Walter though tells Phyllis that she is going to do it, and shocks Phyllis when he tells her that he is going to help her do the dirty deed. Phyllis still unsure of what to think of it all reluctantly gives in, and advises Walter of her devious plans to off Mr. Nerdlinger. Walter being an insurance agent then shows it's worth, he has the inside track on what to do, and what not to do. He knows what the insurance investigators would look for from every angle and how to capitalize on the policy to get even more money. He then reveals to Phyllis how to get double indemnity, by Mr. Nerdlinger having an accident on a train. During all the insanity of plotting a murder Walter makes a move on Phyllis adding even more to the elements of danger already surrounding the story line. Walter kisses her, and the married woman kisses back. From that moment on everything had changed, who holds the power over who? Which one would do the others biding on command? Phyllis seems to put all of her trust into Walter a man that she had just meet and does not know much about. Other than the fact that he is an insurance agent who came to sell her husband an automobile policy, and that he had figured out her scheme quickly. Walter was also putting a lot of trust into Phyllis who he knew nothing about other than, she was immensely attractive to him, and she had thoughts of killing her husband for money.                                                    

            Both of the lead characters in this noir novel are on the criminal side of things to this point in the story. With the existence of plotting to murder Mr. Nerdlinger. As Raymond Borde and Etienne Chaumeton reveal, "it is the presence of crime which gives film noir its most constant characteristic." In the case of Double Indemnity this appears to be the premise of the story line in the beginning chapters of the book. A classic tale of deceit, lies, and inapropriate sexual circumstances often seen in noir novels and films. Double Indemnity is right up that alley at this point in the thrilling novel.


                                                                                                              Marvin Long