Bells Quote by Raymond Chandler
“It was a smooth silvery voice that matched her hair. It had a tiny tinkle in it, like bells in a doll's house. I thought that was silly as soon as I thought of it.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Big Sleep, 1939
Describes a voice with a delicate, bell‑like quality, contrasting with the character’s appearance.
In simple terms: Her voice sounded light and tinkling, like tiny bells.
Key Takeaway
Notice how subtle details reveal character.
Themes
description
contrast
characterization
sensory detail
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
literary
descriptive
When to use this quote
- writing analysis
- character study
- creative description
Key Concepts
literary style
imagery
voice
contrast
Questions to Reflect On
- Does the description enhance or distract from the mood?
- How does sound shape perception of a character?
A Different Perspective
May seem overly whimsical for a noir tone.
![“Hammett was the ace performer... He is said to have lacked heart; yet the story he himself thought the most of [The Glass Key] is the record of a man's devotion to a friend. He was spare, frugal, hard-boiled, but he did over and over again what only the best writers can ever do at all. He wrote…” quote by Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/882/raymond-chandler-629_dashiel-hammett_hammett-was-the-ace-performer-he-is-said_20171.jpg)
![“He [James Cain] is every kind of writer I detest...a Proust in greasy overalls, a dirty little boy with a piece of chalk and a board fence and nobody looking.” quote by Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/614/raymond-chandler-629_cain_he-james-cain-is-every-kind-of-writer-i_41185.jpg)
