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Code Of Ethics In The Maltese Falcon And The Big Sleep

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Hardboiled American detectives, such as Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon and Philip Marlowe in The Big Sleep, follow a general code of ethics in which they portray themselves as tough guys with no feelings or emotional attachments to anything, who willingly get into violent fights and resolve what the police cannot solve. They are presented as detectives who are independent in nature and have more wit than the rest of the characters in the novels. In the case of Lew Archer in The Galton Case, it is important to note that he is a special illustration of a detective that differs from the normal formula of what makes one hardboiled. Lew Archer’s code of ethics differs from the codes followed by the other hardboiled American detectives in the way …show more content…

Unlike Sam Spade who “turned off the lights, and went to bed” (Hammett 23) right after the news of a murder, Archer admits he has trouble sleeping after he sees the touching scene of John stroking Mrs. Galton’s gray hair as he states, “I wondered as I went out how many more scenes like that the old lady’s heart would stand. The question kept me awake on the night plane to Chicago” (Macdonald 180). Also, in contrast to how Philip Marlowe and Sam Spade treat Carmen, Vivian, Brigid, and Iva, Lew Archer is portrayed as having a more humane and understanding heart towards women as he speaks to Ada Reichler. Ada continuously calls herself names that John had called her previously, such as “a dollar snob” and “a hag,” which frustrates Archer. He tells her to be quiet and claims he had never been so angry. When she runs and kneels at the garden, Archer states that “her back was long and beautiful. I waited until she was still, and lifted her to her feet” (Macdonald 192). In the actions and choice of words Archer uses to describe the moments like this and how he feels, it creates a clear distinction of his ethical codes in comparison to Spade and

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