"Spade pocketed the other bull before he sat down. Then he said: 'Well. don't dynamite her too much, What do you think of her?"' (Hammett 10).

This is during the introduction of the book. We establish that Sam Spade is a detective, with his partner Mike Archer and his secretary Effie Perine. One day, a lady going by the name of Miss Wonderly, comes in asking for help investigating the potential kidnap of her sister by a man named Thursby. Mike Archer takes her up on the offer.

In this quote, Spade and Archer are shown to take the money of Miss Wonderly. After they both take the money, Spade tells his partner not to take advantage of the lady. This shows that Spade seemingly respects peoples dignity and tries not to take advantage of those that are vulnerable. His partner on the other hand, sees that this woman is sweet and easy to take advantage of, so he wants to do exactly that.

"'I figured you'd want to see it before we took him away'...'Thanks, Tom,' Spade said. 'What Happened?'"(Hammett 14)

In this scene, the after math of the case with Miss Wonderly is shown (or so we think). On the surface, the story is that Archer was investigating this Thursby guy and ended up getting found and killed. Spade shows up to the scene after it all happens

This quote tells us about how Spade reacts to tragedies, and how he's respected within society. After getting the news of his partner getting murdered. He seems not to give too much of a reaction, almost seeming impartial. This shows that he is stoic, at least in front of others. The police officer calls him over to see the corpse, knowing that Spade was the partner so that he could get a good last look at his diseased partner. It could also be so that Spade could gather clues as to what specifically happened.

"'You're not hiring me to do any murders or burglaries for you, but simply to get it back if possible in a honest and lawful way.' 'If possible,' Cairo agreed." (Hammett 51)

Cairo comes to Spade's office to discuss some business with Spade. Cairo hopes to hire Spade to find and retrieve a statue, the Maltese Falcon, apparently worth millions. Cairo offers Spade $5000 with a retainer of $200.

In this quote, it demonstrates the morals of both these characters. It also displays an internal conflict in Spade. It shows that Spade doesn't want to commit any immoral actions even for such a worthy statue. He hopes to stay honest with his work but the task at him may challenge those morals. Cairo, on the other hand, doesn't seem to heed his morals much and is trying to get the job done.

"'How was he supposed to be helping you? Why did you bring him here from Hong Kong?' She looked at him with frightened eyes and shook her head in silence Her face was haggard and pitifully stubborn...[Spade exclaims] 'This is hopeless,' ... She hung her head and wept," (Hammett 39).

Miss Wonderly has her second meeting with Spade, revealing that her real name is Brigid O'Shaughnessy, and that the little sister story was all a cover up. Despite all this, she still hopes to get the help from Spade and puts on a pitiful act.

This demonstrates the character of Brigid and Spades loyalty to his clients. Brigid refuses to reveal the details of her story and gets Spade frustrated. Spade is stuck in a corner, wanting to help her out, but being unable to do so because she is so stubborn. It shows that Brigid is very shady, and is shown in an annoyingly pitiful way.

"Cairo grunted and slapped her cheek, staggering her sidewise, bringing from her mouth a brief muffled scream... Cairo tried to spit in Spade's face, but the dryness of the Levantine's mouth made it only an angry gesture." (Hammett 69).

Brigid and Spade meet up at Cairo's hotel, whom which is not there yet. As they wait, Spade tells Brigid the story of Flitcraft's dissappearance. Cairo comes in and they start to discuss the statue and money. This leads to banter between the two clients and eventual physical altercation.

This reveals how Cairo's character acts. It shows that he is aggressive and insensitive. He also lacks morals as we've established before. After bantering and getting slapped by Brigid, he has no issue slapping the woman back. After Spade intervenes, he tries to spit on his face too, which is extremely disrespectful.

"Red rage came suddenly into his face and he began to talk in a harsh guttural voice. Holding his maddened face in his hands, glaring at the floor, he cursed Dundy for five minutes without break, cursed him obscenely, blasphemously, repetitiously, in a harsh guttural voice" (Hammett 82).

Before this, Cairo, Spade, and Brigid had their first meeting where Cairo had teased Brigid about someone of the past. The three got into an altercation, and the police showed up. Spade had made up a story about a practical joke that Brigid and Cairo were pulling on the officers. The officers, still skeptical, left and so did Cairo.

This shows the inner workings of Spade. The whole "practical joke" story was an example of Spade's ability to manipulate people. Spade knew that the cops wouldn't believe it but they would have to take it simply because they wouldn't want to end up foolish on the news. It also shows how, the usually stoic, Spade breaks down in anger over frustration. This breaking of character only happens around Brigid, whom he develops a relationship with.

" At his side Brigid O'Shaughnessy's soft breathing had the regularity of utter sleep. Spade was quiet leaving bed and bedroom and shutting the bedroom-door. He dressed in the bathroom. Then he examined the sleeping girl's clothes, took a flat brass key from the pocket of her coat, and went out" (Hammett 91).

Prior to this, Spade and Brigid were alone together talking about the situation involving Cairo and the police. Brigid expressed her frustration with the whole case and leaned into Spade's arms for a kiss. It is then implied that they had sex.

These actions demonstrate Spade's ability to manipulate but also the soft spot that he seems to have for Brigid. Previously, he had refused Brigid's offer of using her body as payment, but now, since it came up naturally, he got intimate with her. He then uses this as an opportunity to gather Intel about the mysterious character that is Brigid.

"'Think again and think fast. I told that punk of yours that you'd have to talk to me before you got through. I'll tell you now that you'll do you talking today or you are through. What are you wasting my time for? You and your lousy secret! Christ! I know exactly what that stuff is that they keep in the subtreasury vaults, but what good does that do me? I can get along without you. God damn you!' (Hammett 109).

Previous to this, Brigid and Spade part ways, and Spade catches the young man following him. He questions him and finds out the person paying him. A man by the name of Gutman calls Spade to his office and they discuss business.

Through out the book we see Spades moral integrity getting tested over and over. This leads to him becoming more and more unhinged in front of other. As he keeps trying to jump from source to source, he grow more and more impatient.

"He talked to her monotonously: 'That's the stuff. Left, right, left, right. That's the stuff'" (Hammett 162).

Prior to this, Captain Jacobi had stumbled into Spade's office. He had been shot and bled out with the Falcon in hand. Effie had received a concerning phone call concerning the whereabouts of Brigid. Spade rushed out the find her. He was on his way to Gutman when Gutman's daughter had fainted in his arms.

This instance exemplifies the motif of Spade's love interests. It seems like these women keep falling into his business and complicating matters whilst he just plays it smooth. First with Iva Archer, then Brigid, and Rhea. However, he tends to use these women as tools for his investigation.

"'Get away. Put your paw on me and I'm going to make you use the gun. Ask yout boss if he wants me shot up before we talk.' 'Never mind, Wilmer,' the fat man said." (Hammet 174).

Prior to this Spade was trying yo find Brigid when he ran into a plant. He then returns home to find Brigid there waiting for him. She walks weakly and Spade takes her up. They come home to find Gutman, Cairo, and Wilmer.

This showcases Spade's ability to manipulate situations. Even though he is held at gunpoint, he still risks getting into altercations with Wilmer. He does this because he knows that Gutman needs him alive and that renders Spade immune to the threat of death. This also establishes leverage in Spade's situation despite all guns being pointed at him.

"'When a man's partner is killed hr's supposed to do something about it. It doesn't make a difference what you thought of him. He was you partner and you're supposed to do something about it'" (Hammett 214).

"She beat his chest with her fists, crying: 'No, no--you've got to go to her. Don't you see, Sam? He had the thing that was hers and he came to you with it'" (Hammett 159).

Before this. Captian Jacobi stumbled into the office with the Maltese Falcon. They were conspiring as to who it was and who sent it when Effie got a phone call. Brigid had called with imminent danger.

This shows that Effie is like the angel on Spade's shoulder. Whilst Spade wants to tend to the captain and the falcon first, Effie commands him to help Brigid. This shows that despite not knowing anything about the woman, Effie had taken her in and showed her care, obviously within the bounds of a client.