48 pages • 1 hour read
Red Harvest
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Background
Authorial Context: Dashiell Hammett and Noir
Samuel Dashiell Hammett was born on May 27, 1894, in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. He was an American author known for his significant contributions to crime fiction, particularly within the noir genre. Hammett grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, in a working-class family. He left school early and worked a series of jobs, but his life took a pivotal turn in 1915 when he joined the Pinkerton National Detective Agency (see “Historical Context” below). His experiences as a detective exposed him to the dark underbelly of society, introducing him to criminals, corrupt officials, and the dangers of law enforcement.
During World War I, Hammett served in the US Army, but his military career was cut short when he contracted tuberculosis. His health issues persisted throughout his life and impacted his ability to work consistently. While recovering, he began to write. His first short stories were published in pulp magazines like Black Mask, where he developed his voice and narrative style. Hammett’s first novel, Red Harvest (1929) set the tone for Hammett's writing: dark, morally ambiguous, and relentlessly realistic. His next novel, The Dain Curse (1929), also featured the same unnamed protagonist and further explored themes of corruption, power, and deceit.
The Maltese Falcon (1930) is Hammett’s most celebrated work. Introducing the iconic detective Sam Spade, the novel centers around the search for a valuable statuette and introduces a cast of morally dubious characters. Spade’s independence, dry wit, and stoicism became defining characteristics of the noir detective. The novel’s success cemented Hammett’s reputation and defined the noir genre, especially as it made its way into Hollywood. Hammett’s final novel, The Thin Man (1934), features Nick and Nora Charles, a wealthy, witty couple who become amateur detectives. Unlike his previous works, The Thin Man has a lighter tone, with humor interwoven into its mystery.
Hammett’s work laid the foundation for noir fiction, emphasizing a morally ambiguous world where justice is elusive. He redefined the detective genre by creating protagonists who were neither wholly virtuous nor entirely corrupt. In Hammett’s world, detectives could be violent, manipulative, and self-serving, motivated not by justice but by their own codes of conduct. This approach deviated from the idealistic detectives of earlier literature, introducing a realism that would influence both American literature and Hollywood for decades. Hammett’s influence is also visible in films like Double Indemnity (1944), The Big Sleep (1946), and later neo-noir films like Chinatown (1974).
Historical Context: The Pinkerton Detective Agency
Hammett’s experience with the Pinkerton Detective Agency inspired much of Red Harvest. The depiction of the town’s response to striking miners and the Op’s history owes much to the author’s firsthand experiences. The Pinkerton National Detective Agency was founded by Scottish immigrant Allan Pinkerton in 1850 and played a prominent role in law enforcement and private security throughout the US, especially in the early 20th century.
Allan Pinkerton established the Pinkerton Detective Agency in Chicago, Illinois, aiming to provide professional, highly disciplined private security services. Pinkerton offered revolutionary investigative methods, including undercover work, surveillance, and crime scene analysis. By the late 19th century, the Pinkertons had gained national fame for their role in capturing criminals, including notorious figures like Jesse James and the Wild Bunch gang, which solidified their reputation as elite crime fighters. The agency also protected government officials, including President Abraham Lincoln, preventing an assassination attempt en route to his 1861 inauguration. These early successes earned Pinkerton and his agents a trusted reputation, and the organization expanded rapidly.
By the early 1900s, the Pinkerton Detective Agency had become one of the most extensive private security organizations in the US, boasting thousands of agents. They provided services in industrial security, which became increasingly significant during this period, as the US economy rapidly industrialized. With industries like steel, coal, and railways growing in power, Pinkerton agents were often employed to safeguard company assets, enforce management policies, and monitor workers, particularly in response to labor unrest.
As the agency’s work in industrial security grew, so did its reliance on controversial tactics. Pinkerton agents frequently used infiltration, espionage, and propaganda to manipulate union movements. Undercover agents often posed as workers or union sympathizers to gather intelligence, report on organizers, and foment discord among union members. The agency also attracted considerable controversy for violently suppressing worker strikes.
The public perception of the Pinkertons as anti-labor mercenaries led to increased government scrutiny. In 1893, Congress passed the Anti-Pinkerton Act, prohibiting the federal government from hiring private detective agencies. The legislation reflected growing unease over the agency's power and influence. Despite this, companies continued to use Pinkertons in labor conflicts, especially in the coal, steel, and railway industries, throughout the early 20th century.
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