Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Sam Spade's personal motivations are often difficult to decipher. Is Spade committed to his profession? Does he follow a moral code of conduct, or does he operate mostly on self-interest? Is he a hero or an antihero?
- Why does Hammett include the Flitcraft parable in The Maltese Falcon? What is its relevance to the rest of the novel? What does it reveal about Sam Spade?
- In what ways do money and greed motivate the characters in the novel? What might Hammett be saying about the relentless pursuit of wealth?
- Lies and deceit abound in The Maltese Falcon. How does Spade figure out who he can trust if loyalties shift at the drop of a dime? Does Spade demonstrate loyalty to anyone? Is loyalty something that can be bought?
- San Francisco in the 1930s as treacherous place run by ruthless tough guys. How does the setting contribute to the overall tone and atmosphere of the novel?
- There are three important women in Spade's life: Effie Perine, Iva Archer, and Brigid O'Shaughnessy. What are the similarities and differences between Spade's relationships with each of these women? Do they have a strong influence over Spade's actions or does Spade use them for his own purposes?
- Do you root for Sam Spade? Why, when he makes some questionable moral choices?
- Imagine this novel were adapted into a movie today. Who would you cast in these iconic roles? Who could possibly fill Bogie's shoes?