2.Eng..American Full

ABSTRACT This paper explores the detective fiction genre and essential elements of American detective fiction in James Ellroy’s My Dark Places: An L.A. Crime Memoir. Ellroy’s Dark Places comes under autobiography and detective fiction as the novel deals with the murder of his mother when he was 10 years old and the consequences of the murder on his psyche. After a gap of thirty eight years he opens the case and re-investigates. He narrates the details of investigation and reconstructs his life through the narration. Though his mission was unsuccessful, he reaches an understanding and is able to let go of his mother’s haunting memories. The narration of the novel follows the essential elements of American detective fiction and also the autobiographical genre in form and content. Commonly known as “whodunit,” detective fiction, since times immemorial, gave immense satisfaction to its readers. Readers indulge in mystery stories to escape from the mundane reality of their day-to-day lives. Detective fiction is read as literature for diversion. In this paper I attempt to present the essential elements of American detective fiction and a perspective on Ellroy’s My Dark Places based on these essential elements. In the present day context, autobiographical detection assumes a very important role in case studies where the protagonists feel that they have to bridge the gaps in their past life and it becomes imperative for writers to write and seek retribution through their writing. Narratives of autobiographical detection are relevant and related to the field of language as they challenge the aberrations in the society. The plot of a detective novel is tentatively directed to a climax, exposing the criminal and asserting the gathered meaning of the narrative. The ultimate objective of a detective novel is to restore stability and this is clearly brought out in My Dark Places.