CONTEXT
The novel was published in 1951, and is characteristic of the 1950s genre of crime fiction. It fits a common structure of crime novels: first, there is a murder, then there is investigation, and finally the punishment - which is typically the criminal’s death. This style became apparent in the 1920s after World War I, when the crime rate was high. People wanted fiction stories that acknowledged the harsh realities present in the city life. However, Highsmith went slightly against these expectations and strived for a unique style of crime fiction. One of the main characters, Charles Bruno, is classified according to cultural definitions of a psychopath and as Highsmith wrote about different relationships, it was evident that she had a pessimistic outlook on the world. Furthermore, almost all of Highsmith’s relationships failed during her lifetime, which could have contributed to her cynical writing style.
Historically, the book was written after the Cold War and Highsmith addressed some of the fears of the Cold War American culture. The novel reminded readers that there was the possibility of criminals not receiving penalty for their actions and due to the time period, more and more criminals were starting to wreak havoc on society. In this sense, the book explores the psychological facet of murder as opposed to simply describing the murder. Interestingly, Highsmith chooses to explain all aspects of the murder except for the motive. For instance, Charles Bruno’s aggressive actions and psychopathic mentality results in his decision to murder somebody, however his motive is slightly ambiguous. This ambiguity strikes fear in the readers because society fostered paranoia during this time after the Cold War (the “Red Scare”) and caused people to become anxious.
In addition to the Cold War culture, the 1950s were a time in which there was a movement towards domesticity and the idea of a perfect American citizen. Morality and safety were the two main aspects that embodied this panic and resulted in a fear of communism which transformed into tensions about domestic threats. Through her novel, Highsmith draws attention towards these issues and plays on the paranoia of society. Additionally, the moral corruption of these abnormal people and their capability to blend in with their surroundings caused an uproar of fear. In this novel, the ability of Guy and Bruno to be undetected as murderers and appear normal highlights this paranoia.
Freud’s work also influenced Highsmith and because society was interested by the idea of a psychopath, the novel examines psychological concepts as well as Bruno’s interaction with others (given his psychopathy). The idea that a psychopath, such as Bruno, could wear a ‘mask’ to hide his/her abnormality contributed to people’s anxieties. Thus, Highsmith chose to write in regards to society’s fears by introducing a novel in which a murderer could wear a mask and get away with a crime.
In addition to historical information, it is important to examine Highsmith’s personal history. As a lesbian, Highsmith personally encountered the Cold War paranoia and the homosexual paranoia. After her struggle, she dedicated her writing to exposing the cruel realities of society and creating a social consciousness in which society would understand the unusual citizens and the feared threats to security, including lesbians. This personal history of Highsmith explains some of the reasons for why she wrote Strangers on a Train and it is important to keep this context in mind while one is trying to understand the book.
1. Weinstein, Natalie. "The Masked Other: Patricia Highsmith in Cold War American Culture." Trinity College Digital Repository, 2014. Web. 17 May 2015. <http%3A%2F%2Fdigitalrepository.trincoll.edu%2Fcgi%2Fviewcontent.cgi%3Farticle%3D1446%26context%3Dtheses>.
2. Winterson, Jeanette. "Patricia Highsmith, Hiding in Plain Sight." The New York Times. The New York Times, 19 Dec. 2009. Web. 16 May 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/20/books/review/Winterson-t.html?pagewanted=all>.