Analysis of The Maltese Falcon

Analysis of The Maltese Falcon

The Maltese Falcon, was not only a detective film, but a film that displayed many different aspects of the female and the male character in the movie. The film was more than a story, but a story that explored the ideas of the detective genre and the different characteristics of femininity and masculinity. It also brought forth subjects of sexual desires and the greediness of money. The characters and the visual motifs in the film contributed to the developing of the plot and assisted in creating a more detective and gender oriented film. In the film, The Maltese Falcon, the role of men and women are portrayed in different ways in the film to show the distinct functions of masculinity and femininity between the characters.

Sam said to Effie, ?Your a nice rattle brain angel.? Sam Spade?s assistant, Effie is a conservative and a practical woman. As the detective?s assistant, she possesses more of masculine qualities than feminine qualities. Since she works in an environment around

men, she has a tendency to be more influenced by their activities and their ideas. Sam said to Effie, ?Your a detective darling.? Her voice seems to be monotone which shows her as a strong and an independent person. Although she may act this way, she is still a woman who is somewhat ladylike and very polite. In some ways, women are used to bring forth the ideas of sex and lust, but in this case, Effie?s role was necessary in helping the story to develop and to present how the role of woman could be played and perceived. Sam said to Effie, ?Your a good man, sister.? Effie possessed many masculine qualities and this quote helped to reinforce the idea of it all.

Another female role that was a part of the film was Iva, who was the wife of Miles. She was very lady-like and beautiful which helped her to use her image and personality in a way to receive certain things. Miles was Sam Spade?s partner in the detective business. Her character as a woman is somewhat different from Effie?s. Iva and Sam Spade once had a history together even though she was married to Miles. Iva said to Sam, ?You killed my husband, Sam, be kind to me.? She sets up a different role for woman because of her actions and of the characteristics that she possesses. In a way, she thinks that Sam Spade is in love with her and for that reason, she thought that he had killed her hus...

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...ch character. Although Effie took on a female role, she possessed many masculine characteristics which allowed it possible for her to get along with the men in the film. The other women in the film took on the classic role of the female characters as helpless, seductive, or conniving. The male characters took on the customary roles as the ones who were strict and cautious, while others sought only for lust and money. Some of the male characters were able to control their feelings and did not allow their emotions to come in the way of their moral decisions while some couldn?t restrain themselves from the lustful feelings they had inside. Sam said to Brigid, ?If they hang you, I will always remember you...you never played square with me for the half hour to the stretch that I?ve known you.? Even though Sam had feelings for Brigid, he was still going to turn her in for the murder she had committed. He was not going to allow his desires for her come between his morals and his profession. Through this many things were accomplished such as portraying the genre of detectives, the genre of female and male figures, and the roles that the characters which led up to the ending of the story.