cHARACTER aNALYSIS
Sam Spade
The protagonist of this story, Sam Spade is blond and well-built with hard, distinct facial
features. Spade appears to be the typical hard-nosed tough-guy detective of mystery
novels. However, he has a slight twist. Unlike other unscrupulous detective heroes,
Spade is sometimes corrupted by greed and self-interest, which are common traits in
the novelʼs characters. His constant pondering and selfish nature often come off as
detachedness. In the beginning of the novel itʼs apparent that Spade has an affair with
his partnerʼs wife, leaving us seriously skeptical of his morality. After his partner is
murdered, he then proceeds with notable determination to pursue the killer(s).
Throughout the plot, Samʼs actions are noble, but seem driven by monetary gain and
self-preservation(as he is a suspect in the murder). Eventually, his sharp detectiveʼs eye
leads him to catch his partnerʼs murderer and turn him(her?) in to the police. The
motives of this redeeming action are ambiguous, as to whether he did it to save his own
tail or to avenge his colleagueʼs death. Because little insight is given into Samʼs
background and character are given, weʼre left wondering.
Brigid O'Shaughnessy
At least we think thatʼs her name. The slender, treacherous woman is the prime
example of a Femme Fatale, or an attractive female who leads the male protagonist into
trouble. From the moment she is introduced, she spins webs of lies in an attempt to
manipulate Spade. She claims that her name is “Miss Wonderly” and gives a story of
her sister running off with a man she wants Spade to tail. Even after sheʼs caught in the
lie, she hides her secrets close to the chest. Later itʼs discovered that she is the
murderer of Spadeʼs partner, Miles(and others). She appears to have no morals, and
acts solely out of self-interest. Oʼshaughnessy is only interested in manipulation to get what she wants in life.
Detective Dundy
Detective Dundy is an average man, if average meant always wanting something new or trying to put himself
ahead in life. He accuses Spade of killing his partner Archer, because he knew about the affair he was having
with his wife. Dundy is not fully sure on his assumptions yet he can't help but harass Detective Spade at every
corner or when he is about to discover somethin new that could break the mystery. Detective Dundy shows jealousy
a major quality based on how well Detective Spade is always seeming to come out on top and out do him due to
past relations and where he stands in the investigation and office as a high figure.
The protagonist of this story, Sam Spade is blond and well-built with hard, distinct facial
features. Spade appears to be the typical hard-nosed tough-guy detective of mystery
novels. However, he has a slight twist. Unlike other unscrupulous detective heroes,
Spade is sometimes corrupted by greed and self-interest, which are common traits in
the novelʼs characters. His constant pondering and selfish nature often come off as
detachedness. In the beginning of the novel itʼs apparent that Spade has an affair with
his partnerʼs wife, leaving us seriously skeptical of his morality. After his partner is
murdered, he then proceeds with notable determination to pursue the killer(s).
Throughout the plot, Samʼs actions are noble, but seem driven by monetary gain and
self-preservation(as he is a suspect in the murder). Eventually, his sharp detectiveʼs eye
leads him to catch his partnerʼs murderer and turn him(her?) in to the police. The
motives of this redeeming action are ambiguous, as to whether he did it to save his own
tail or to avenge his colleagueʼs death. Because little insight is given into Samʼs
background and character are given, weʼre left wondering.
Brigid O'Shaughnessy
At least we think thatʼs her name. The slender, treacherous woman is the prime
example of a Femme Fatale, or an attractive female who leads the male protagonist into
trouble. From the moment she is introduced, she spins webs of lies in an attempt to
manipulate Spade. She claims that her name is “Miss Wonderly” and gives a story of
her sister running off with a man she wants Spade to tail. Even after sheʼs caught in the
lie, she hides her secrets close to the chest. Later itʼs discovered that she is the
murderer of Spadeʼs partner, Miles(and others). She appears to have no morals, and
acts solely out of self-interest. Oʼshaughnessy is only interested in manipulation to get what she wants in life.
Detective Dundy
Detective Dundy is an average man, if average meant always wanting something new or trying to put himself
ahead in life. He accuses Spade of killing his partner Archer, because he knew about the affair he was having
with his wife. Dundy is not fully sure on his assumptions yet he can't help but harass Detective Spade at every
corner or when he is about to discover somethin new that could break the mystery. Detective Dundy shows jealousy
a major quality based on how well Detective Spade is always seeming to come out on top and out do him due to
past relations and where he stands in the investigation and office as a high figure.