Red Harvest

In what ways can Red Harvest be considered an example of the noir fiction genre? Which elements of the text reflect tropes, literary techniques, and/or stylistic features associated with the genre?

Although the Op is the novel’s protagonist and narrator, much of his life, personality, and even name remains unknown. What is the wider significance of his anonymity in the text?

How does the novel characterize female characters like Dinah and Myrtle? In what ways do they reflect misogynistic stereotypes, and in what ways, if any, do they subvert them?

In a novel filled with criminals and violent men, which character should be considered the primary antagonist? Cite examples from the text to explain your reasoning.

The town of Personville is so steeped in corruption that it is nicknamed “Poisonville.” How does the novel explore the nature and effects of corruption within a community?

The Old Man does not appear directly in the story until the Op returns to his agency at the very end, yet he remains an important background presence. What is the Old Man’s role in the novel? What key themes or ideas does he represent?

Much of the corruption and violence in the town is driven by men jostling for power and influence. How does the text explore the links between power and corruption? What does it suggest about the nature of effective versus ineffective government?

The Op struggles to maintain his sense of morality amid corruption and often persuades himself that the ends justify the means. How does the Op’s sense of morality contrast with that of the other characters? How, and to what extent, is his behavior similar or different to theirs?