The Maltese Falcon, published in 1930, is probably the greatest American detective novel. It was recognized as the greatest novel upon its publication and still has critics affirming the importance of the novel. He defines the conception of Sam Spade, the American private detective, of Brigid O'Shaughnessy, the femme fatale and tough style. The novel is written during the Depression, and its famous objective point of view being forced technique (Hammet 1). In the novel, Sam Spade acts like a jerk when he is hard on women, hits his customers, and shows that he doesn't care about anyone. This leads to negative consequences for him and others. For example, he sleeps with Brigid but sells her out, hits his client, making Cairo an enemy who shoots him. Result: he is not paid. He doesn't care about anyone - Iva, Brigid, Archer, whoever you choose, nor does he care about what happens as a result of his actions. Sam Spade was immediately considered an icon. “His character evokes a real presence of myth and it is not the vulgar delirium of the magazine” (Kim Kang). It is modern, masculine and sexy. Spade differs from his in Hammet's continental operation. Spade is a loner and devotes himself to investigating Archer's death, thus withdrawing from any lingering feelings about mixed feelings of brotherhood such as the feelings the Op felt towards his fellow agent. This is seen in the officer's reaction to Sam Spade: "Dundy pulled his fingers away, but there was no change in his voice: 'Tom said you were in too much of a hurry to even stop and take a look.' eye on your partner” (Hammett 20). His speech is perhaps ironic but never comical. He gets involved in a lot less violence and gunfire than Hammet ever... middle of paper ......ap for you, I won't go into Thursby's house. and God knows who else. You killed Miles and blamed yourself. I could have helped you by letting the others go and keeping the police away as best I could. It's too late for that now. I won't help you now. And I wouldn't do it if I could" (Hammett 213). Of course, Spade did this because he didn't want to be Brigid's sap, however, nothing is clear what is the intention of the author. Works cited by Austen, Jane and Vivien Jones. London: Penguin Books, 2003. “Hypocrisy in Public Integrity and the Effect of Moral License.” Nursing Ethics 2014, 42(3), 391-400 Hammett, Dashiell. The Maltese Falcon: Penguin Books, 1966. Kim, YS, SW Kang, and JA Ahn. 'ethics'.. 20.4 (2013): 470-8.