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Mr. Marré
3/20/99
Title: The Maltese Falcon
Author: Dashiell Hammett
Synopsis: Sam Spade, a 1930s detective in San Francisco, is hired by Brigid O'Shaugnessy to recover an ancient falcon from the isle of Malta. While also working for Joel Cairo, Spade searches for the falcon and his partner's killer. Spade fends off the police's accusations and his partner's wife's advances. In a final showdown with all interested parties, Spade reveals the falcon and the murderer.
Themes: The theme of The Maltese Falcon is that people should not allow greed to control the movements in their lives.
Point of View: The point of view is third person omniscient.
Characters/types: Sam Spade (protagonist), Iva Archer (foil), and Mr. Gutman and Joel Cairo as the antagonists.
Figurative Language/literary devices: note extensive or unique uses as well as describing the overall effect.
Allusion- makes the novel more interesting
Flashback- gives the reader the history of the falcon
Foreshadowing- allows the reader to predict what will happen later in the novel.
Simile- paints the reader a much more vivid picture.
1. Which element was most important to the development of the novel?
Explain why. The most important element to the development of the novel is mystery because it allows Spade to further the conflict and the plot by drawing the reader deeply into the story. Without the mystery, the whole story falls apart.
2. Identify the elements of the plot below. Justify your answer.
A. Initial incident- The initial incident is when Sam Spade is hired by Brigid O'Shaugnessy to follow the character Floyd Thursby. This is the initial incident because it is from here that all action and conflict arises.
B. Climax- The climax is when Spade turns Brigid over to the police because this is the point at which all the conflict has been resolved.
3. Give an example of conflict. Identify the type of conflict and how it is/why it is not resolved.
One example of conflict is when Spade is attacked by Joel Cairo. This is external conflict and it is resolved when Cairo becomes severely injured and stops charging at him.
4. Give an example of irony from the novel. Identify the type and explain how or why it is ironic.
On example of irony in the novel is when the police tell Spade their whole theory on the motive behind his partner's murder. It is ironic because the theory appears to be correct, when in fact it is not true.
5. Identify a flashback from the novel and explain the effect of the use of this device.
A flashback occurs in the novel when Gutman recounts the tail of the falcon. This device gives the reader a greater insight into the story and significance of the falcon.
6. Give an example of foreshadowing from the novel. Explain the effect of the use of this device.
One example of foreshadowing occurs when Brigid lies to Spade for the first time. This foreshadows future entanglements with Brigid and the truth. This allows the reader to foresee the future relationship between Spade and Brigid.
7. From what point of view is the story told? What effect does this point of view have on the reader?
The Maltese Falcon is told from the third person omniscient point of view. This gives the reader and insight into the thoughts and states of all the characters. It also gives a greater understanding of the events as they occur.
8. Describe the setting of the novel.
The setting of the novel is 1930s San Franciso.
9. Identify two major characters from the novel. For each character: A. Identify the type. B. Give three quotes, with page numbers, which illustrates the character.
Character One: Sam Spade
A. Protagonist
B. "I won't play the sap for you. (215)," "People lose their teeth talking like that. If you want to hang around you'll be polite (94),"
"Sit down and shut up and behave and you'll last longer (194)."
Character two: Gutman
A. Antagonist
B. "Well, Wilmer, I'm sorry indeed to lose you . . . but if you lose a son its possible to gain another - and there's only one Maltese falcon (194)," "I do like a man that tells you right out he's looking out for himself (106)," " . . . I'm the only one in the whole wide sweet world who does [know the value of the falcon] (108)."
10. Give one sentence statement of theme for the novel.
The theme of The Maltese Falcon is that one should not allow greed to take control of his/her life.
11. Identify one symbol from the novel and explain the symbolism.
One symbol from the novel is the Maltese falcon. It symbolizes the power of human greed and its permeation through history.
12. Identify one allusion from the novel and explain the allusion.
One allusion in the novel is an allusion to the Knights Templars. In the history of the falcon, Gutman mentions the wealth of the ancient order of the Knights Templars who guarded the Jerusalem.
13. Identify six different types of figurative language or literary devices used in the novel. For each type: A. Identify type. B. Give a quote with page number. C. Explain the effect.
1. A. Simile
B. "Spade's face became pale as his collar (217)."
C. This gives the reader a visual that could not be achieved by just saying that Spade became pale.
2. A. Flashback
B. "And they stayed there for seven years until 1530 when they persuaded the Emperor Charles V to give them Malta, Gozo, and Tripoli (123)."
C. This device gives the reader background and insight into the story and significance of the falcon.
3. A. Situational Irony
B. "Thrusby shot Miles (141)."
C. This device adds humor and interest to the story.
4. A. Allusion
B. We all know that the Holy Wars, as to the Templars, was largely a matter of loot (124)."
C. This gives a sense of history to the reader and adds interest.
5. A. Symbolism
B. " . . . the black bird (107)."
C. This gives the story a deeper meaning and subject matter.
6. A. External Conflict
B. "The fist struck Cairo's face . . . (46)"
C. This gives the story action and holds the reader's attention.
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