DISCUSSION
QUESTIONS
Here is a collection of thought-provoking questions about The Maltese Falcon.
You can use them on your own to help you as you explore the novel.
You can also gather some friends to share in a lively discussion about the novel.
We may also use them at the library book discussions to help spark a discussion.
There are many other ways you can use them, limited only by your creativity.
The Questions
Explore the novel
1. How does Sam Spade’s moral code shape his actions throughout the novel? Do you think he is a hero, an anti-hero, or something else? Why?
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2. What role does greed play in the motivations of the characters, and how does it impact their decisions and relationships?
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3. How does the novel explore themes of trust and betrayal? Which characters, if any, can be trusted?
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4. Brigid O’Shaughnessy is a complex character. How does Hammett portray her, and what do her actions reveal about gender roles in the 1930s?
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5. The Maltese Falcon itself is a powerful symbol. What does it represent to the different characters, and how does its meaning shift throughout the story?
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6. How does the setting of 1920s San Francisco contribute to the tone and atmosphere of the novel? Could the story have worked as well in a different location?
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7. In what ways does Hammett use dialogue to develop characters and advance the plot? How does the style of speech reflect the era or genre?
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8. What is the significance of the relationships between the characters, particularly Sam Spade and his various associates or adversaries?
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9. How does Hammett challenge or reinforce the conventions of the detective genre in The Maltese Falcon?
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10. What do you think Hammett is saying about the nature of justice and morality in the world of The Maltese Falcon? Is justice ultimately served?