“Morse stared morosely at the blotting paper. "It's just not my sort of case, Lewis. I know it's not a very nice thing to say, but I just get on better when we've got a body - a body that died from unnatural causes. That's all I ask. And we haven't got a body.”
In this quote from Colin Dexter's novel, Detective Morse expresses his preference for cases involving bodies that have died from unnatural causes. Morse's morose demeanor highlights his dissatisfaction with the current case lacking a body.
Inspector Morse's statement reflects his preference for cases involving murder rather than more abstract or complex investigations. His focus on cases with bodies that have died from unnatural causes indicates his comfort with solving crimes that have clear and tangible evidence. This quote showcases Morse's character and his approach to detective work.
In this quote from Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse series, the titular character expresses his frustration at not having a body to investigate. This sentiment may still resonate with modern audiences who are used to crime dramas focusing on solving murders. The absence of a body in a case can add layers of complexity and intrigue to an investigation, challenging detectives to think outside the box and rely on other evidence to piece together the puzzle.
When faced with a case that doesn't involve a body or unnatural causes of death, why do you think Morse seems disinterested or disconnected? How does this preference for a particular type of case impact his investigative skills and approach? Does this reveal anything about Morse's character or personality traits? How do you think Morse's attitude towards different types of cases could affect his relationship with his colleagues and the overall success of the investigation?
“The body is just the body. It has it's own structures, it's own laws. It's a thing unto itself. When it breaks down, that's it.”
“Cause i really always knew that my little crime would be cold thats why i got heater for your thighs and i know i know its not your time but bye bye and word to the wise when the fire dies you think its over but its just begun”
“George: [On the 'Two Virgins' cover]'What I thought of the sleeve then was the same as I think now: it's just two not-very-nice-looking bodies, two flabby bodies naked. It's harmless, really - different strokes for different folks.”
“Before I knowed it, I was saying out loud, 'The hell with it! There ain't no sin and there ain't no virtue. There's just stuff people do. It's all part of the same thing. And some of the things folks do is nice, and some ain't nice, but that's as far as any man got a right to say.”
“[O]ur own bodies are changing every second. Yet we take the body to be our Self; and, speaking in terms of it, we say, “I am hungry” or “I am lame”; “I am black” or “I am white.” These are all just the conditions of the body. We touch the truth when we say, “My body aches,” implying the body belongs to us and that therefore we are not that. (87)”