The 39 Steps: Richard Hannay as an individual in conflict with society

Have a little read: ... Murray Reid The 39 Steps The 39 Steps: Richard Hannay as an individual in conflict with society "The 39 Steps" a classic thriller by John Buchan, successfully portrays the story of an individual in conflict with society. Therefore, the main theme I will focus on is that of an individual in conflict with society, and will refer to point of view, characterisation, and setting. "The 39 Steps" is one of the most popular thrillers ever written. It has also been filmed many times, each has been a hit. The opening of the novel is set in Richard Hannay, the protagonist's apartment, where a strange man is attacked, but, before he dies, he tells Hannay that he knows a fatal secret. The police think that Hannay is the killer, so Hannay needs to find the actual murderers and discover the secret of the 39 steps. "The 39 steps" is told through the eyes of Richard Hannay. This is an effective way of telling the story as the reader can relate to his character and symphathise with him throughout the book. Due to this first person narrative, through the eyes of Hannay, the reader sides with him, and not with the spies or the police. The writer uses this viewpoint well, and keeps the reader hanging on right until the end of the novels gripping climax. In the opening, Hannay describes life in London as "as flat as soda water." This is an effectual simile as it compares his life with flat juice, which gives the reader the impression of a monotonous and adventure free life. Being middle aged retired man, Hannay didn't have much to live for. He makes living in London sound dreary. Tired of sightseeing and with no real friends he described himself as "best bored man in the United Kingdom." The bleak image that is Hannay's life is highlighted in his description with the use of alliteration, which emphasises the word bored. Hannay describes his life differently when he goes on the run, he is forced into a life where he is in conflict with society. He has had to adapt to this way of life or face being charged with the murder of a British spy called Scudder. Buchan describes Scudder as a "slim man, with a short brown beard and small gimlety blue eyes." This was a look that Hannay found "funny", but he later found out it