Brighton Rock by Graham Greene

In addition Greene makes a clear contrast at the very start of the novel, using Hale as an example to show the very dark, hopeless and unknown side of Brighton shown in the quote ''Hale knew, before he had been in Brighton three hours, that they meant to murder him'' this quote shows the dark side of Brighton as it shows Hale only being in Brighton for a very small amount of time but already is in great danger. It gives the reader an implication that Brighton is a place where consequences will always get you therefore there is no sense in having hope as the reality will hit you. This point contrasts with the fact that Brighton is a beautiful and very calm place which is suggested through lines ''holiday crowds'' or ''glittering air'' to show that the sad and hopeless side isn't the only side that Brighton has to offer, Greene uses these descriptions to show that it is also a beautiful and peaceful family resort where thousands of tourists come to enjoy themselves on holiday and have no idea about the dark secrets of this town. .
             The method of using characters in the novel is able to show the reader the idea of Brighton Rock being 'bleak', 'depressing' and 'hopeless' through the characters of Pinkie and Rose An example of Pinkie's dark and hopeless nature being present and contrasting with the surrounding is at the start of the novel when Greene presents him as : "slatey eyes were touched with the annihilating eternity he felt the music as a movement in his belly: the violins wailed in his guts". The use of "slatey eyes" presents several connotations such as cold, hard and old which can be seen as direct links to Pinkie and how he acts, with the idea cold being present to how he treats his fellow mob and especially his attitude to Rose by giving her only hate and pain; not giving or showing any sign of sympathy or apology such as when he physically hurts her or only marries her to have a reliable alibi.