Cain, James M.: 1892 - 1977

The Postman Always Rings Twice, 1934 - Thematic Parallels: Passion

Cain, James M.: The Postman Always Rings Twice, 1934
This is a crime noir novel that explores the destructive power of passion and the consequences of greed and impulsive actions.
The following books are thematically similar. They lend themselves well to being read in groups, compared with one another, or used to teach a similar topic over an extended period with a class:
- Fitzgerald, F. Scott: The Great Gatsby, 1925, ~190pp
  This novel explores crime, deception, moral ambiguity, lust, betrayal, and the pursuit (and collapse) of the American Dream, all within a setting dominated by passion and class divisions, like Cain’s novel.
  Both books share a bleak examination of American society in the early 20th century, focusing on wealth, class conflict, destructive desire, and the elusive nature of the American Dream. In both stories, desire leads to moral corruption and eventual tragedy, and the suggest that actions (especially immoral ones) will catch up with the characters, no matter how hard they try to escape.
- Lessing, Doris: The Grass Is Singing, 1950, ~240pp
  "This novel deals with the consequences of forbidden desires, crime (murder), betrayal, and the destructive forces present in human relationships. Like “The Postman Always Rings Twice,” it explores the consequences of crossing societal and moral boundaries, set against a background of isolation and underlying social tensions.
  Both novels explore destructive passion, power imbalances, murder, and the inevitable collapse of human plans under societal pressure and personal flaws. They're stories of people who seek freedom through transgression—and are ultimately destroyed by it.
- Priestley, J.B.: An Inspector Calls, 1945, ~70pp
  A play about deception, crime (in the form of a suicide investigation), social responsibility, and the uncovering of hidden motives and guilt, which relate to the moral complexity and revelation-driven structure of "The Postman Always Rings Twice."
  Both works explore the consequences of immoral actions and the idea that justice will eventually prevail. Once moral lines are crossed, there's no going back.
- Williams, Tennessee: A Streetcar Named Desire, 1947, ~100pp
  This play focuses on intense human passions, betrayal, and the collapse of personal dreams, with strong emphasis on illicit desire and tragic fate.
  Both works explore raw, sexual passion as a central driving force that ultimately leads to ruin. Neither play nor novel offers clear-cut heroes or villains: Stanley is brutal, yet "truthful" in his realism; Blanche is tragic, yet deceptive. Frank and Cora are both guilty and sympathetic—victims of circumstance and their own desires.
List of general discussion questions on Passion (pdf)
List of essay prompts on Passion (pdf)