Carballal 1

Nico Carballal
Ms. Gardner
English 10 Per 2
28 October 2014
Dashiell Hammett, the Complex Character Creator
Herron, Don. "Hammett: The Lost Interview." Up and Down These Mean Streets. N.p., 6 July 2012. lllll
Web. 05 Nov. 2014.

The limited supply of interviews performed of Dashiell Hammett proves his unquestionable
preference towards isolation instead of publicity. In Hammetts Lost Interview, he speaks of his
past occupation, his literary strategies, and he reveals a small portion of his complex mind. While
Hammett is certainly not a prattler, he can talk endlessly of his detective experiences, but there is
still a reserved side about him: a side that is able to hover to the side and listen attentively to the
nature of human interaction. Hammett seems to have an inner understanding of the world and
human actions unlike most people.
Aimed at those familiar to Hammetts works or to those completely clueless of Hammett, Don
Herron praises (and rightfully so) in his article that by fooling the reader and highlighting the
characters Hammett understood the art of a detective story and the logical sequence in which
events transpire naturally. Hammetts intention was to focus on the characters individualities
rather than the story; similarly, this article cleverly and perceptively focuses on Hammetts
individuality which is evident in every page of his novels. The lack of information in the
interview is caused by Hammetts reluctance to reveal a lot about himself, but that speaks for
itself, and it leaves a lot for the reader to interpret. As a reader, after analyzing this article, there is
an abundance to obtain from this complex, observant mans novels and short stories.
Layman, Richard. "Hammett, Dashiell." In Anderson, George P., Judith S. Baughman, Matthew J. lllll
llllllllllBruccoli, and Carl Rollyson, eds. Encyclopedia of American Literature: Into the Modern:

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llllllllll18961945, Revised Edition, vol. 3. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Bloom's Literature.
lllllllllllFacts On File, Inc. Web. 28 Oct. 2014

This descriptive article, presented in Encyclopedia of American Literature: Into the Modern:
18961945, summarizes the summits of Dashiell Hammetts detective and army career to the
lowest times of his life, involving drinking and a support for Communism that eventually led him
into political trouble. Realistically, Hammett utilizes his past detective work and tactics from
other literary works to accentuate the characters emotions and deception. Having unexpectedly
been thrust into a life of illness, Hammett determinedly clings to literature to retain the
excitement that his detective work brought him, and he desires to recreate this same effect for the
reader.

This article brings an overall appreciation for the realistic nature and human like actions and
qualities shown in the characters- deceit, trust, trickery, and greed- throughout the novel. In an
organized, chronological manner, the article is directed towards all readers, but the key points are
aimed for educated readers of his material because his personal story and experience are
evidently shown throughout his novels and short stories. While it is not incredibly analytical, this
article provides documentation of the origins of the characters, their actions, and their emotions.

Layman, Richard. "The Maltese Falcon." In Anderson, George P., Judith S. Baughman, Matthew J.
llllllllll Bruccoli, and Carl Rollyson, eds. Encyclopedia of American Literature: Into the Modern:
lllllllllll18961945, Revised Edition, vol. 3. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Bloom's Literature.
lllllllllllFacts On File, Inc. Web. 11 Nov. 2014

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Laymans article does not advocate the plot of the story; instead, Layman honors the characters of
the story that seem so vivid coming from Dashiell Hammetts pen and paper. The characters are
meticulously defined by their unique dialogues- from Brigids dramatic, persuasive trickery to
Spades witty, clever responses- and each eventful scene is remembered because of Dashiell
Hammetts ability to create eloquent characters. The characteristics that these characters are given
are what makes this novel extraordinary and memorable instead of any other detective story.
Targeted at an audience who has read the book or is familiar with the general plot, Layman digs
deeper into how Hammett was able to establish the realistic setting that he constructed. The
article commends the dialogue of the characters saying, The characters are meticulously drawn,
but it is their speech that truly distinguishes them, and it boldly states that every remarkable
scene was formed because of these dialogues. The article references sensible, specific quotes and
scenes to logically prove its point. From Hammetts strategies, this article descriptively and
interestingly explains how Hammett gained fame in a chronological, reasoned way because
Layman wished to reestablish the fact that it all stemmed from dialogue; the unique dialogue
created descriptive characteristics; the descriptive characteristics created vivid characters; the
vivid characters created memorable scenes, the memorable scenes created a remarkable novel; the
remarkable novel resulted in success and stardom for Hammett along with a classic film. This
article is stimulating because of its logical, thought-provoking claims backed by clear evidence
from the novel.
Rockler, Michael. "Sam Spade, Existential Hero?" Philosophy Now. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.

This article, written by Michael Rockler, provides a philosophical theme that underlies the main
plot and themes in The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett- existentialism. Taking a very
complex view to Spades intriguing story of Flitcraft, the man who disappeared and completely
changed to find himself in a different place but the same position, Rockler argues that Hammet is
suggesting that it is difficult to become a different person, and it takes demanding decisions and

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crucial choices to create or reform ones life. Comparatively, Macbeth, depicted in William
Shakespeares Macbeth, is formed by those around him and his circumstances while Sam Spade
knowingly defines and molds who he is. Having determined himself to be a detective, Spade is an
existentialist who desires to influence others to view him as powerful and persistent.

This article supplies a proposal that is logical and insightful for those who have read The Maltese
Falcon. Interestingly, Rockler explores how existentialism is shown and developed within Spade
throughout the novel, and Rockler intriguingly describes how Spade demonstrates to be an
existentialist in a way an interested student or experienced philosopher could decipher key points
and expand on them. Upon encountering this article, informed readers of Hammett and The
Maltese Falcon can explore farther into Spades desire of complete control and power. This
article insightfully uncovers the concealed theme of existentialism which will improve a readers
understanding of the novel as a whole, and it will bring an appreciation of Sam Spade as a
detective and as a person; therefore, this article should be read by all who have read The Maltese
Falcon.

"The Maltese Falcon." The Worden Report. N.p., 20 May 2014. Web. 13 Nov. 2014.

Posted on The Worden Report, this article explores the issue of greed within the characters of the
Maltese Falcon throughout the the search for the valuable artifact. Its assertive and clear claim is
that greed is an obsession, and greed distorts natural actions and inputs malevolent desires in
order to acquire what is desired. As mentioned in the article, Kasper Gutmans name could in
German be a world play on gut which means good signifying that greed occurs in all people,
even good men. The article illustrates Gutmans intense greed for the falcon; in one of the most
surprising and memorable lines of the novel Gutman regretfully states Well, you lose a son, its

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possible to get another. Theres only one Maltese Falcon. Obstacles cannot stop greed; greed will
overcome.

This article clearly explains how greed is the main force impacting the bold and daring actions
the characters commit. The article is unorganized; it commonly sidetracks from the theme of
greed to describe the movie; however, the assertiveness is strong and intriguing. The articles
diction is straightforward and comprehensible; however, for deep analysis, this article has very
little value; it is meant to provide quick, compelling information for interested readers.

Van Dover, J. K. "The Maltese Falcon." In Werlock, Abby H. P., ed. The Facts On File Companion to
lllllllllllthe American Novel. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literature. Facts On File,
lllllllllllInc. Web. 11 Nov. 2014
Abby Werlock praises this book as one of the most influential of all detective stories because of
its vivid and unique method of portraying characters, particularly Sam Spade. The exact street-tostreet naming of San Francisco which replicates reality is where the fictional Spade turns, in the
readers mind, into somebody the reader could find by walking up to 891 Post Street and
knocking on the door. After Miles Archers sudden death, all trustworthiness and truth are buried
along with Spades former partner, and instead, lies and deception present themselves. After
dealing with all of the deception and greed, Spade, in the final, most memorable scene,
legitimates himself as a literary icon and chooses righteousness over romance.

Werlock clearly reveals the origins of her opinions by referencing specific scenes and
characteristics of Spade that made him the icon of a great detective story. Directed at an

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audience who has read the novel, Werlock chronologically and rationally explains how Spade,
through Dashiell Hammetts inspired words, became the icon of a tough detective. Even though
the article is long-winded, summarizing parts of the novel that do not support the idea of Spade
being an icon, overall, the specific references confirm the claim. While not thoroughly analyzing
every aspect of the novel, the article insightfully reinforces Hammetts position as a master of
developing complex, realistic characters.