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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Spade realize he has to do to prove himself innocent?

2. Where does Spade think Brigid has gone?

3. What reason does Brigid give for Spade not to hand her over to the police?

4. How much money does Gutman's envelope have inside?

5. Why did Brigid kill Miles?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Maltese Falcon is written in the first person. Why do you think Hammett chose to write the story in the first person? How do you think the meaning of the story would of changed if it was written in the third person?

Essay Topic 2

The Maltese is a famous book which has greatly influenced popular culture. Choose a film or book written after The Maltese Falcon that you think was influenced by the novel and discuss there similarities in terms of:

a) Plot

b) Character

c) Themes

Essay Topic 3

Examine the novel's dialogue. How does Hammett's dialogue contribute to the following areas:

1) Character

2) Setting

3) Plot

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 222 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample