Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon

1436 Words6 Pages
There are numerous famous novels in crime fiction, but Dashiell Hammett’s “The Maltese Falcon” is one of the most vital classics to the genre because of the manner in which he conducts his novel and the significance it has on those that follow. Dashiell Hammett remains to be an author with much respect; additionally Samuel Spade is one of the most famous American detectives. In regards to detective fiction, there is a great amount of focus on plot, mainly on the crime. However, Dashiell Hammett manages to seamlessly twine a marvelous plot and a strong sense of characters which produces an outcome of an intriguing, action packed world the reader can perceive as realistic. The story begins with an introduction to Sam Spade’s world of private…show more content…
Later in the evening, Spade is in his office discussing the case with Effie when a man bursts into his office. The man is badly injured with multiple shot wounds and manages to mutter Spade’s name before he dies. In this man’s arms is a poorly packaged bundle; the maltese falcon. Immediately after the discovery, Spade receives a distressed phone call from Brigid. He directs Effie on how to manage the dead man in the office. He leaves to help Brigid, but not before he carefully takes care of the maltese falcon. Spade searches for Brigid, but finds Gutman’s daughter and is sent on a pointless chase. He understands this phone call is a rouse to distract Spade before Jacobi’s…show more content…
His characterization of Samuel Spade, the lone detective, inspired and continues to inspire writers in crime fiction; William Nelles concludes: “…perfectly suited to the depiction of the hard-boiled detective, a man who pursues criminals ruthlessly and with professional detachment, using any means that come to hand, including violent and even criminal behavior. The detective is bound not by the law but by his own private code of ethics, which keeps him one step removed not only from the criminals but also from the corrupt political and social world of Hammett’s fiction.” (Nelles) Not only did Hammett introduce the profile of a necessary detective, but he was the one to competently take a step and take “murder out of the Venetian vase and dropped it into the alley” (Chandler). He brought the crimes from a proper place to a tough urban setting. He changed the formula of detective fiction and not many authors can put an honor like that under their belt
Show More
Related

  • Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon

    937 Words  | 4 Pages

    happening in their lifetime. Dashiell Hammett was not an exception to this. Being a writer in the 1920's gave Hammett a variety of influences that would effect his writing. What Dashiell Hammett accomplished, experienced, and overall felt about the events in his life led him to his masterpiece, The Maltese Falcon, which showcases his beliefs on morality by making it a well thought-out theme. The most influential points that piece together the theme of The Maltese Falcon is the 1920's women suffrage

    Read More

  • Film Noir Conventions

    1192 Words  | 5 Pages

    crime thriller film made between 1940 and 1959 because it shows reality life, for example “ The Maltese Falcon ”(1941), “ Double Indemnity ”(1944), “ Murder My Sweet ” (1944) and “ Laura ” (1944) were credited for their signature uses of darkness (Spicer.A, 2010). Film noir can also be indentified in a specific period of film history, particularly

    Read More

  • The Maltese Falcon Analysis

    848 Words  | 4 Pages

    Major Works The following list is a great start for those who want to read the classic hard-boiled stories that have defined what is meant by a hard boiled fiction. The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M Cain. It caused a scandal with its explosive mix of violence and sex. The torrid story of Frank Chambers, the amoral drifter, Cora, the sullen and brooding wife, and Nick Papadakis, the amiable but inconvenient husband, has pbecome a classic of its kind

    Read More

More about Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon

Open Document