Kid Deth- A Good Criminal

"About Kid Deth" is a typical pulp story in that it has a fast-paced plot, and action and dialogue rather than wordy descriptions. However, unlike the other pulp stories we have read in class, the "hero" that readers identify with in this story is technically a criminal, rather than a cop. Kid Deth, the protagonist, is an extremely likeable character who acts as the detective to solve the murder mystery in this story. The usual order of good and evil is reversed; Kid Deth, a criminal, is viewed as the "good guy" and while a few criminals are "bad guys" in this story, some of the cops could be put into this category as well.

From the beginning of the story, the reader is made to empathize with Joey Deth, even though he is a criminal. He is described as being smaller in stature, and he "never packs a rod." These qualities, along with the fact that people refer to him as "Kid" help to mold his character into one who could almost be considered an "underdog," and definitely the protagonist of the story. The reader then learns that Rands, the detective, has arrested Kid on numerous occasions, and despite these numerous arrests, Kid has never been convicted of a crime. The fact that Kid has never been convicted of a murder furthers his designation as the “good guy” in the reader’s mind. While Kid is determined to figure out who is framing him and why, he is also motivated to avenge the death of Bess, making him seem like selfless hero.

The cops are portrayed both as evil men secretly involved in crime, or as incompetent and slow, always one step behind the true hero of the story. Rands, one of the detectives, turns out to have been involved in a crime scheme that led to his death. This corruption was common in pulp stories, along with idea of a criminal protagonist.

In the end of the story, it is somewhat unclear as to what Kid’s fate will be. However, I personally believe that Sarlow, Rand’s partner and an uncorrupted cop, will have charges dropped against Kid. Yes, Sarlow knows that Kid was involved in racketeering, but he also knows the truth- that Kid never committed murder, and helped get other gang members “out of the game.” In the end, good has prevailed over evil. Like most pulp stories, those who did wrong were punished, and the hero, Kid, was set free (or so I believe).

Questions:
What was the history between Bess and Kid?
Does Cardigan allow Kid to go free in the end?