Key Facts
Title: Sin City: That Yellow Bastard
Author: Frank Miller Genre: Graphic Novel Language: English Time and place written: Milwaukee, OR, March 2005 Date of first publication: May 1991 Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Narrator/Point of view: The narrator throughout the whole book is John Hartigan. While he has many conversations and interactions with other characters, readers only see into his mind and thoughts. Because of this, readers see and read things from Hartigan's point of view. Tone: The story offers various tones depending on the situation that Hartigan is involved in. The story opens with a lot of mystery and suspense as Hartigan searches and risks his life to find Nancy. There is also a sense of pity and sympathy as Hartigan learns the truth about his partner or when he's framed for a crime he didn't commit. While some tones change, dedication and devotion stays true throughout the whole story. He risks his life and doesn't everything he can to save Nancy. Love, mystery, suspense, pity, sympathy, mournfulness, fear, and dedication are just some of the many tones within the story. Setting: Basin City, also referred to as Sin City. During the story, characters are taken to various places including: The Docks, Kadie's Club Pecos, Roark Family Farm, Basin City Police Department, etc. Major conflict: The major conflict throughout the story is Hartigan's devotion to saving Nancy from Roark and his son. From the opening scene of the book when Hartigan finds Nancy at age eleven, to him saving Nancy again at age nineteen. Both times, she was taken by Roark's son (aka Yellow Bastard). Rising action: Hartigan is framed and sent to jail for raping Nancy by Roark. Hartigan refuses to fight back or challenge Roark because he doesn't want to danger Nancy again. Nancy agrees to write Hartigan every single week for the rest of her life. After eight years of receiving letters from Nancy every Thursday, they just abruptly stop coming. Initially, Hartigan thinks Nancy could be in danger. However, he soon realizes that Nancy has just moved on. Climax: The climax of the story is when Hartigan finds a finger, of who he thinks is Nancy's, in an envelope. As rage and grief overwhelm him, Hartigan finally realizes that he needs to get out of jail to save Nancy from Roark once again. Hartigan confesses to raping Nancy and gets to leave jail. This is where he begins to try and rescue Nancy for the second time. Falling action: After saving Nancy and killing Roark's son, Hartigan realizes that Nancy will never be safe from Roark as long as he's alive. This ultimately leads Hartigan to kill himself to avoid a life of revenge and conflict with Roark, which would harm Nancy in the process. |
Important Quotes Explained
"You're gonna be convicted of raping that little brat and shooting up my boy. You're gonna spend the rest of your life in prison. Disgraced. Destroyed. Alone." -Roark (67).
This quote really highlights upon the power struggle throughout the book. Roark is a very powerful and influential man. He gets Hartigan convicted and put into jail over a crime he didn't commit, and with virtually no evidence. Readers see the dedication of Hartigan, without really noticing the devotion that Roark possesses as well. This quote is a part of the rising action that eventually leads to the climax of the story. "He's got me. He's got me sweating. He's got me worrying. He's got me giving a damn. He's got me frantic and screaming and ready to beg." -Hartigan (98). This quote represents the climax of the story when Hartigan finds the envelope with Nancy's finger in it. The whole story he stays calm, silent, and determined, but this quote shows a different side to him. His rage, anger, and love for Nancy is breaking him down, but also fueling his dedication for revenge on Roark. However, this quote is also showing the power Roark has. Not only did he get Hartigan convicted and put into jail for raping Nancy, but Hartigan believes he has taken her again. Recognize my voice, Hartigan? Recognize my voice, you piece-of-shit cop? I look different, but I bet you can recognize my voice. I'd be really insulted if you didn't recognize my voice." -Junior (aka the Yellow Bastard) (164). Junior emphasizes his voice repeatedly to Hartigan because that is the only thing that is the same. His whole body and even skin color are completely transformed into this ugly creature, and the only thing that is left for Hartigan to recognize is Junior's voice. This quote also highlights the anger Junior feels toward Hartigan and the blame he places for how he turned out. Junior wants Hartigan to recognize him to show that he does possess power and has control over him. This quote marks the first confrontation between Hartigan and the Yellow Bastard. "An old man dies, a young woman lives. Fair trade. I love you, Nancy." -Hartigan (217). This quote is a representation of the falling action after the climax. After finding Nancy's finger in the envelope and getting out of jail, Hartigan sets out to rescue Nancy. Not only does he save her, but he kills Roark's son (aka the Yellow Bastard). Hartigan knows that Roark will come after him to avenge his son's death, so he decides that the only way to keep Nancy safe is to kill himself. As he holds a gun to his head, Hartigan's last line of the book is this quote. It brings together all his adventures, conflict, and dedication by saying that as long as Nancy is safe then nothing else matters, not even his own life. |