The origins of the detective genre can be found in ancient literature and in biblical texts. The first detective stories appeared at the same time as people tried to understand the reasons for committing crimes. Nevertheless, the founder of the detective genre in literature is considered an American writer of the first half of the 19th century Edgar Poe.
Instruction manual
1
Edgar Allan Poe is one of those who stood at the origins of US national literature. His main merit is the creation of the novella genre. He has long been given the right to invent a detective story. The first swallows of the genre are the novels Murder on the Morgue Street, The Secret of Marie Roger and The Stolen Letter. In addition, 2 more stories can be added to it - “The Golden Beetle” and “You are the husband who created these things”. In these works, the writer was able to create a scheme of a new literary genre and its basic techniques. The fundamental novelty of the works of Edgar Allan Poe was that he was able to use the criminal investigation as the plot basis. In addition, the detective became their central character for the first time.
2
In his short stories, Poe laid the foundations of the most common detective stories that are still found on the pages of world literature: domestic quarrel, clash with a killer maniac, blackmail and espionage. He also used detective tricks that have become classic: the use of "decoy duck", thrown evidence, intercepting encrypted messages, double play, substitution of the subject of blackmail.
3
Of course, Edgar Allan Poe, who by no means claimed the laurels of the creator of a new genre, has all these plots and tricks in their infancy. Subsequently, many recognized detective masters had to work hard on their development. In addition, detectives and criminals in Po's works are just amateurs, because they were invented at a time when forensic science was only in its infancy, and no one knew about fingerprinting at all. Therefore, in solving crimes, the characters use mainly the analytical method. The writer himself naturally possessed a highly developed intellect and was inclined to clearly exaggerate the abilities of the human mind as a tool for solving crimes.
4
In the novel "You are the husband who did these things, " the criminal is so clever and cunning that it may seem to the reader that he can escape retaliation. However, there is a detective who manages to make him confess to his deed. Thus, Edgar Allan Poe approved one of the basic principles of the detective genre - good always triumphs over evil. Within the narrow framework of the novel, the writer managed to lay the foundations of the detective genre: he outlined classic plots, tricks, and characters. Based on the detective legacy of Edgar Allan Poe, writers of subsequent generations created the genre of a detective novel.
