Farewell, My Lovely | Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Chapters 1 through 4

1. What is Philip Marlowe's history prior to the beginning of the novel?

2. Who is Little Velma, and why is Moose Malloy looking for the woman?

3. What is unusual about Moose Malloy's appearance?

4. How does the novel Farewell My Lovely depict racial prejudice and racial relations between African-American and whites in the 1940's, the era in which the story is set?

5. Why is Lieutenant Nulty bitter, and why does he ask Marlowe to help with the investigation of Sam Montgomery's murder?