Brighton Rock

Greene’s characterisation of Ida Arnold is suggestively influenced by the author’s socialist beliefs and the idea that class should maintain separation; this is evident when considering his derogatory physical description of her. Despite her maturity, Ida is nevertheless characterised as being both ambitious and naive, however as the novel’s detective figure, still successfully represents the force of justice as she pursues Pinkie in defence of Hale and attempts to save Rose from Pinkie’s manipulative capabilities. The character of Idea foils that of Pinkie as she represents everything in which Pinkie despites. Ida represents freedom and in some respects life itself as she is capable of understanding and criticising society whilst nevertheless remaining self aware. Greene attempts to establish Ida as being a “whore” by characterising her as having recurring extra marital affairs - an idea which according to Catholicism, is a sin. Although in the novel, Ida represents ideas of justice, she is nevertheless bullied by Greene and painted as being somewhat of a criminal herself as a result of her class, religion and to an extent her sexuality, an idea which suggests that although she foils Pinkie, they are nevertheless ‘criminals’ in their own individual ways (by morality and the law.) Although the novel was published in 1938, a period notorious for its production of women being having no society value other than domestication, she nevertheless does embody her own individuality and, although being previously married, is characterised by Greene as suggestively doing everything but obeying female expectations and stereotypes of the period. This idea is particularly interesting as although this would have been surprising to readers to see such a bold female character in the 1930s, from a modern perspective she can be suggested as being somewhat of a feminist. Suggestively, Ida’s character represents what is considered as being the ‘second wave of feminism’ which would occur following the Second World War, this therefore making her somewhat of a revolutionist, despite whether or not Greene believed in her political representation. Arguably, her scrutiny of her character is influenced by what equally she represents as a feminist and not just by her class, as Rose who embraces domestication is contrastingly celebrated and almost idolised by Greene who paints her with such innocence.