‘The first fifty pages of 'Brighton Rock' are all that remain of that detective story.’ To what extent do you agree with this view of the novel?

Writing a thesis statement is the easiest way of ensuring that your essay is structured well, that it is focused, and will reassure the examiner that you know what you're doing. It should, crucially, answer the question, and explain the general argument that the essay will follow. Let's break it down further. The question states that 'The first fifty pages of 'Brighton Rock' are all that remain of that detective story.’ To what extent do you agree with this view of the novel?' This question is set up in a way that suggests how the examiner would like you to structure the argument. It is letting you know that some scholars believe that the first fifty pages of Brighton Rock, a crime novel by Graham Greene, are indeed all that remain of a traditional 'detective story'. You, as the analyst, then have to decide whether you agree with this statement, or that you disagree. In this instance, bearing in mind that 'Brighton Rock' is a complex, multi-faceted novel that explores deeply philosophical questions, we will agree with the statement that 'Brighton Rock' moves away from a traditional detective story. However, it is elegant to acknowledge the opposing argument, and will demonstrates knowledge of 'different interpretations' of the novel, something that examiners mark highly, we will begin with 'Although'. 'Although 'Brighton Rock' was initially written as an “entertainment”, Graham Greene’s slightly derisive term for a traditionally styled detective story, it subverts the typical conventions of crime fiction to become something far more complex.' This tells us the argument line we will take, and also demonstrates contextual knowledge of the book. This is a short, concise statement, and one that sums up the question. We will follow by expounding more specifically on our knowledge with specific reference to the book:"It is lyrical, less plot-focused, and discusses profound questions of morality; such as the difference between the legal ‘good’, and the religious ethics, particularly the fight for eternal salvation."This shows the examiner you know what you're talking about with regards to the book, and that, more importantly, you know what you're talking about with regards to your essay - you can follow this thesis with a paragraph on 'lyricism', or style of language, 'plot-focused', or narrative structure, and 'profound questions', which can look at the moral issues of the book. We will follow this by once again acknowledging the opposing argument, or what other interpretations might exist: -'Greene himself was immersed in the classism found in the golden era of detective fiction, and this is arguably reflected in his writing, but he was less concerned with the puzzle of careful solving a crime, seeing the crime as more a hinge for the plot than a genuine focus.'This engages with question, adds more knowledge, and demonstrates your counter argument. Even when you agree with the question, you must argue against other interpretations that don't agree! We will finish with a pithy, 'conclusion' statement, that states what else, if not a detective story, Brighton Rock is looking to provide. This will assert your own opinion on the book, and once again shows your understanding of the question. ''Brighton Rock' attempts to explore our desire to ensure the triumph of good over evil, and the retribution for criminal actions committed by individuals.'All of this will get you really high marks! Let's look at it altogether:-'Although 'Brighton Rock' was initially written as an “entertainment”, Graham Greene’s slightly derisive term for a traditionally styled detective story, it subverts the typical conventions of crime fiction to become something far more complex. It is lyrical, less plot-focused, and discusses profound questions of morality; such as the difference between the legal ‘good’, and the religious ethics, particularly the fight for eternal salvation. Greene himself was immersed in the classism found in the golden era of detective fiction, and this is arguably reflected in his writing, but he was less concerned with the puzzle of careful solving a crime, seeing the crime as more a hinge for the plot than a genuine focus. 'Brighton Rock' attempts to explore our desire to ensure the triumph of good over evil, and the retribution for criminal actions committed by individuals.'Practising thesis statements is one of the best ways of getting high marks in the exam, and is easily reproduced in the A Level and GCSE exams. Tutor with me and we will work on this a lot! I look forward to hearing from you.