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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Brigid confirm about Cairo?

2. What does Spade make for Brigid to eat?

3. Whose offer does Brigid want Spade to forgo?

4. Who does Spade spot in the hotel?

5. What is the name of Sam's lawyer?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the district attorney's theories about who the killer is?

2. Describe the iconic dialogue Hammet uses in the novel.

3. How does Spade rid Cairo of his weapon?

4. What does Spade work out about Miss Wonderly in the second chapter?

5. How does Spade react to Iva's apology in the eleventh chapter?

6. In what way does the sixteenth chapter express the problems of its time?

7. What does horse feathers mean in terms of the eighth chapter?

8. What problems has Gutman had trying to get the falcon?

9. Describe Joel Cairo and what he wants.

10. What is Spade's ulterior motive in helping out Brigid?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Hammett's life. In what way do you think his life and personality is reflected in the book?

Essay Topic 2

Hammett lived in San Francisco and worked in a detective agency, adhering to the rule, writers should always write about what they know. Do you think it is obvious that Hammett knows his subject? What difference do you think it makes to the story? Are there any moments where you think Hammett does not portray a character or setting so well? What affect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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