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: Smith’s ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective
Agency’ is a guide to how one might open
a detective agency. The protagonist is Precious
Ramotswe who is the detective. She starts of her
work by inviting people to her detective agency
through her advertisement. Several clients do
approach her, and her work starts off well. At
this point, there do not appear to be complications
in this work aside from the legal implications
that are attached to all detective work. However,
as the book progresses, Ramotswe is drawn into
her work. What began as a profession has become
part of her emotional life. This is why one witnesses
her delving into an investigation regarding a
kidnapped child. It is precisely this part of
the book that makes the reader sit up and take
note of what the author is trying to express.
This is because it emphasizes the involvement
of a detective of a detective, and that a woman
in this line of work is an asset. This is because
as the author says, “They are the ones with
eyes” (Smith, 2003, 61). It is through their
views and their involvement that they are successful,
and Ramotswe’s success reinforces this.
Finally, it is this personal involvement that
the author focuses on in order to make his point
known and the point of the book known as well.
In addition governments operating through organized
institutions in order to carry out investigative
functions, there are other organizations involved
in this process. However, these organizations
may not be associated with the government. They
may operate entirely independently and work for
the people directly without authoritative interference.
Such private organizations are in fact a good
hand to the people, provided that their work is
dedicated and sincere.
Underhanded tactics cannot be permitted because
the government ultimately is responsible for the
actions of these organizations. This is because
of the fact that the government has to permit
these organizations through a license if they
are to serve the public. This being the general
requirement of a detective agency, one can be
innovative and develop his or her strategy for
serving people when in need of detective aid.
In view of establishing a detective agency, there
are vital aspects that need to be taken into consideration.
These may include the doctrine or set of rules
according to which the organization functions.
Most of these rules are generally set by the government
as it gives the license for such an agency to
function.
In addition to these rules, there may also be
literature written to guide one in setting up
such a firm. Several novels written have private
detective work included to add spice to their
stories. However, there are also books written
that allow one get a genuine idea of how a detective
agency can be established and run according to
particular principles.
Producing literature that directly relates to
law and societal occurrences is a thing that has
been used as a base in several novels. However,
there are few that stand out, and it is worth
saying that Smith’s ‘The No. 1 Ladies'
Detective Agency’ does stand out. It is
an interesting and entertaining novel of detective
work on the part of a private detective who gets
involved in her work closely enough to become
totally absorbed. This is precisely the kind of
aspect that would enthrall readers and help them
see the importance of getting engrossed in detective
work.
Of course, too much emotional involvement is a
risk, but a significant amount of involvement
is essential so that one remains dedicated to
investigative work. This type of work tat involves
the law and a thorough understanding of it, requires
one to be alert and remain considerate of procedures
that should not be overlooked through emotional
involvement.
Speaking of investigative work, it must be noted
that the protagonist is greatly dedicated to her
work because of particular experiences in the
course of her career. Precious Ramotswe, the protagonist,
is Smith’s key to raising particular question
regarding detective work and law as well. ‘Precious
Ramotswe’ is quite evidently a feminist
in her approach, because of the title of her organization
(‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’).
According to this, the protagonist invites people
to come to her with their problems, knowing that
she is a lady detective. Her advertisement is
open, and tells one that detective work today
need not be kept secret. These two aspects, being
a feminist detective and being open about it highlights
the role of the detective here. In view of this,
the protagonist tells the reader that one has
to be open about his or her approach.
In contemporary times, this reflects the manner
in which advertising helps one get business, and
it is this business that draws a private detective
into his or her cases more and more deeply. This
is emphasized when Ramotswe is completely drawn
into the case of a young boy who is apparently
kidnapped.
There are two major thoughts her of which the
first is the emotional involvement, and the second
is the dedication to duty. Both these are things
that help one in this sort of work. However, emotional
involvement might be weakening as opposed to the
strength that dedication has.
In view of the protagonist’s role in this
novel, it can be seen that there is a mixture
of the two approaches. However, it turns out that
there is more dedication that leads to her success.
She pursues her case in a manner that proves her
willingness to get to the truth and expose what
is hidden. This is the basic aim in detective
work. Also, one should not get caught while in
this process because it could set off unwanted
actions.
A legal approach in Ramotswe’s case would
question why a detective gets closely involved
in his or her work. However, it is this intense
involvement that allows the protagonist to get
to the bottom of her case, and this is something
that she explicitly states. Ramotswe says, “Women
are the ones who know what's going on. They are
the ones with eyes. Have you not read Agatha Christie?”
(Smith, 2003, 61)
Quite apparently, by this, the author has suggested
that detective work in contemporary times can
even mean applying detective fiction to practical
situations. This is precisely what such literature
is about, as it tends to stimulate those who have
a flair for this work and may well lead to individuals
actually taking up such a profession. Since private
detectives are allowed to operate, and though
they are bound by law so that they do not cross
particular boundaries, they are also free to apply
themselves to situations.
This is what pulls individuals through literature
on detective work, and is precisely what Ramotswe
does in order to solve her cases.
Solving cases is not simply a process that is
achieved through simple processes. Instead, detective
work is the type that requires great care and
understanding of legal principles as well.
This is because there are particular nooks and
corners that detectives have to be aware of in
order to conduct an investigation. In view of
this, one should also beware of the problems that
can arise legally if one does not take into consideration
the importance of the legal implications.
Similar to government and police investigative
officers, a private investigator also has to act
within the law, and this is because for evidence
used in a case, it is a must for it to have been
achieved through legal means.
Understanding that there are particular amendment
rights that an investigator has to be aware of,
one may not act in anyway that breeches legal
principles; one must not act with out reason for
suspicion. In addition to such considerations,
there are others tat can only be considered through
one having a thorough understanding of the law
and investigative procedures.
Aside solving mysteries of people who would ordinarily
refer their cases to the police, Smith tells the
reader that people do not have to go to the police
for legal aid; they can hire their own detectives
even if they are not very rich. This shows that
modern legalities allow more opportunity to people
who are not so well off and who want to have their
problems solved. This book also tells the reader
that women can also carry out detective work with
legal support; it is this approach that allows
women with their domestic and personal cases to
come forward knowing that there are women who
can help them out.
Also, with the kind of name that Ramotswe gave
her agency, it is no wonder that women would not
feel more than welcomed there. Such a name certainly
is in great favor of women’s rights and
supports them significantly. |