Week 9 Analysis: Dashiell Hammett's "The Maltese Falcon"

Dashiell Hammett expresses a writing style that is almost script like. It is as if it is written for the movies or a play. Every paragraph sets a scene and the reader is able to immerse themselves and feel as if they are actually a part of the scene. As you read, you are able to feel a part of that character; you connect with them. While the excerpt provided within our textbook is only a glimpse into a much larger story, we are able to understand the plot involves the following:

Joel Cairo, possibly a theatre actor 

Sam Spade, a private detective

Brigid O'Shaughnessy - possibly an actress, Spade meets with her inside the Coronet which I looked up and was a theatre until it was shut down in 2005.

There is also another individual, referred to as "the youth" multiple times by Spade,  following Spade. 

It seems a crime had occurred and Brigid is trying to have it covered up to protect either herself or someone she cared about. 

There is also mention of "the black bird" (pg. 433) which I believe to either be a code for a hit or maybe it is code for the information that would sell Brigid out and make the crime known or even solve it? Whatever it is, Brigid is desperate for Spade to not give it to Joel Cairo. She says she could not match the $5,000 Cairo is willing to pay but she could offer herself. She needs to speak with Cairo, but she is afraid of him. "I can't let him know where I am. I'm afraid" (pg. 434). Spade tells Brigid he can arrange for Cairo to meet with her at his (Spade's) apartment. When they two of them arrive at the apartment, a woman, Iva drives up desperately needing to speak with Spade. the concern she expresses regarding Brigid being with him makes it seem that he may be undercover, even to his girlfriend. She appears to understand what Spade is involved in is dangerous, but also seems unconvinced he is truly "working".  Again, while talking with Iva, Spade sees yet another "youth" watching him. 

Throughout the story, there are multiple mentions of "youth" lurking and spying of Spade. There is an intensity building and you know something bad is potentially going to happen. The "youth" are not described as friends and you can only imagine an attack is about to take place. 

Hicks, Jack, et al. “Dashiell Hammett.” The Literature of California, University of California Press, 2000, pp. 429 - 436.