Deception is at the root of most relationships, clouding the ability to tell truth from lies and undermining trust.

Sam Spade represents both traditional ideas about masculinity and moral ambiguity.

Female sexuality is presented as dangerous, a secret weapon used by devious women to control others.

Loyal, dependable secretary

Cynical detective; drinker, smoker, womanizer

Devious femme fatale

Effeminate, deceitful thug

Evil, greedy manipulator

Young, violent hired gun

Film adaptations of The Maltese Falcon (1931 and 1941)

Months Hammett was imprisoned for refusing to testify against the Communist Party in 1951

Year Hammett moved to San Francisco, where The Maltese Falcon is set

Current worth of each surviving falcon statue from the 1941 film adaptation of The Maltese Falcon

Like Sam Spade, Hammett liked to drink, gamble, and womanize. He drew on his own work as a private investigator to write best-selling detective novels and short stories. Hammett also wrote screenplays, splitting his time between New York City and Hollywood.

Symbolizes greed, corruption, extreme wealth, and impossible dreams

Represents unattainable dreams and the circular nature of the plot