The Maltese Falcon Ch. 1-6 Flashcards

Study Notes

Author and Setting

Dashiell Hammett is the author, having worked as a detective for the Pinkerton Detective Agency.
The story is set in San Francisco during the late 1920s.

Major Characters

Sam Spade: A womanizer described as “blond satan”; characterized by his carefree and arrogant nature, driven by money, and has a V-shaped face.
Miss Wonderly/Brigid O'Shaughnessy: A mysterious, pretty woman known for her deception and manipulation; she uses her beauty to influence others.
Effie Perine: Sam's secretary and confidante, serving as his support and ally.
Joel Cairo: A suspicious, wealth-focused character, well-dressed with jewelry and a Greek passport; exhibits artificially polite behavior.
Miles Archer: Sam's deceased partner, killed early in the narrative.
Iva Archer: The widow of Miles; possesses a clingy nature and had an affair with Sam.

Minor Characters

Floyd Thursby: A dangerous Englishman who is later found dead.
Tom Polhaus and Lt. Dundy: Detectives from the SFPD involved in investigating the murders.

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1: Spade & Archer: Miss Wonderly seeks Sam's help to find her missing sister; Effie flatters Wonderly's looks, while Miles volunteers to tail Floyd Thursby due to Wonderly's attractiveness and wealth.
Chapter 2: Death in the Fog: The murders of Miles and Thursby unfold, with Spade deceiving detectives about informing Iva. Tension builds as Lt. Dundy suspects Spade's involvement in the murder of Thursby.
Chapter 3: Three Women: Exploration of female relationships in Spade's life; Iva Archer has an affair with Sam, Effie is a close friend, and a phone call from Wonderly suggests complexity in their relationships.
Chapter 4: The Black Bird: Wonderly, revealing her true identity as O'Shaughnessy, admits her initial request for help was a lie. Spade remains emotionally detached and is offered $5,000 by Joel Cairo to find a black bird, culminating in Cairo pointing a gun at him.
Chapter 5: The Levantine: Sam fights and subdues Cairo, discovering evidence of Cairo's extensive travels. He decides to assist Cairo in locating the figurine in exchange for payment.
Chapter 6: The Undersized Shadow: As Sam feels he is being followed, he visits Brigid in her hotel room. Tension escalates as Brigid reacts negatively to Sam’s potential partnership with Cairo, offering her loyalty through intimacy; Iva is seen waiting outside Spade's apartment.

Description

This quiz features essential flashcards covering chapters 1-6 of 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. Learn key terms, characters, and settings that form the foundation of this classic detective novel. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of the text.