Essay Questions

James Bond has often been said to be a chauvinistic character and Ian Fleming's portrayal of women very sexist; how does Domino compare to other "Bond girls" in her character and independence?

Domino is far more of an equal to Bond than the other female characters generally are. She is manipulating him just as much as he is her and although she is a "kept" woman which would suggest the man keeping her to have the upper hand in their relationship, she is actually using him as a provider of glorious experiences and world travel in luxury. When she is called upon to be resilient Domino is just as tough as Bond, withstanding Largo's torture and summoning both the physical strength and strength of character to escape the yacht and come to Bond's rescue as Largo traps and overpowers him. This is the opposite of what happens on the majority of the 007 novels where typically it is Bond who goes to the rescue of a woman.

Why do you think Count Lippe has to be assassinated?

Lippe loses sight of the greater goal of SPECTRE, making him a liability. Initially, although trying to kill Bond could be seen as a necessary attempt to contain his security, it was also an unnecessary way to draw more attention to himself. Bond finds out that he is likely a member of a criminal syndicate in Macao, but this information alone would not have led him to SPECTRE but the second attempt on his life certainly makes Bond want to probe more thoroughly into his background and connections. Lippe needs to be neutralized as he has become preoccupied with Bond which in turn delays the "ransom" letter being mailed and proves to his superiors that he is now a loose cannon.

How does Fleming maintain the glamor of Bond's lifestyle despite the danger of his assignments?

Bond's assignments are dangerous, a factor which in some ways will also add glamor and mystique; however, Fleming's criminals are also very glamorous and maintain a luxury lifestyle. For example, Largo is an international playboy whose hobbies include diving for treasure amongst the wrecks, gambling in the most suave casinos, and travelling the Caribbean by mega-yacht; this is not a sordid criminal who lives and kills on the streets. Even those very low on the SPECTRE food chain are renowned international pilots, scientists, and money men, all of whom enjoy their wealth with flamboyance. This attention to detail is what makes these world-altering crimes and those executing them maintain their mysterious glamor.