The Maltese Falcon

How are the women in the novel—Brigid O'Shaughnessy, Iva Archer, and Effie Perine—treated by Spade, and what does this say about his opinion of them? How does each woman navigate the narrative to serve her own interests, if at all? What do their characterizations say about the time period’s view of women?

Money is the primary motivating factor for almost all of the characters in the novel. What does this suggest about wealth? Choose 2 to 3 characters and compare and contrast their relationship to money and how it influences their actions throughout the novel.

Explore how Spade’s distrust of authority is an important aspect of his character and how it manifests in his actions. How would this look different if Spade were not a private detective? Cite passages from the text to support your answer.

How does Hammett build a sense of mystery and suspense in the novel? Think about the plot’s structure, the tone and point of view utilized by the author, the novel’s setting, etc.

Are there any examples of true loyalty in The Maltese Falcon? If so, how do you know? What sets this relationship apart from all the disloyal ones? How does the novel communicate its definition of loyalty?

In what ways is the novel impacted by Hammett’s choice to narrate the novel in third person? How does it support the sense of mystery throughout the novel? Choose and explore one scene that you think is particularly strengthened by this choice.

What is the Flitcraft anecdote’s thematic relevance to the rest of the story? What does it reflect about Spade? What does the anecdote add to the scene in which it is told?

How does Spade demonstrate the traits of an antihero? How do his actions contrast with that of a traditional hero? How does Spade’s antiheroism add to or detract from the mystery?