Research Paper the Maltese Falcon: Existentialism Essay

Dashiell Hammett, father of the Ameri dismiss pugnacious genre, is widely known for producing a suffocating world of realism in his works (Hard-boiled legend). accord to Paul Abrahams On re-reading The Maltese Falcon, the realistic atmosphere of Hammetts third legend is reactionary to the post-war turmoil in which the work was born (97). This provides the ideal foundation for subtle philosophical concepts of existential philosophical system such as, quests for lawfulness, self identification, and the significance of creative activity to build through and throughout the novel.Richard Layman, in his critical review of Hammetts novel ( similarly title The Maltese Falcon), proposes that the philosophies of Hammetts generation can be found inwardly the text edition of his novel (71). Hammett conveys an existential theme in his work The Maltese Falcon through his use of themes of examination and self absorbed shares as well as his Flitcraft parable. Existentialism, in a unco mplicated form, is a doctrine concerning existence and its significance.Layman asserts that existentialism had its roots in the mid-nineteenth century and flourished in the United States from the 1930s until the 1960s (71). According to the web-article World War I from the New World Encyclopedia, subsequent to the Great War, the optimism for world peace of the 1900s was in all g atomic number 53. Therefore, without the blinders of social optimism, American society could question ideas such as, the occurrence of mass destruction in a just world and the significance of existence in such a world.Hammetts head starthand develop with the existential crisiscaused by what the historical context from the website The Maltese Falcon presents as global wars, the Great Depression, and other(a) struggles of the 1930sleads Hammett to employ different techniques throughout his work, providing subtle allusions to existentialism. One method through which Hammett conveys existentialistic thought is through his themes of inquiry in The Maltese Falcon. The plot is centered on the continuous quest for an idolized motion picturethe Maltese falcon, a precious bejeweled bird.Hammett incorporates an ecclesiastical theme through this spare- cartridge clip activity of an icon. The quest for their icon in conclusion leads to the demise of the characters involved in its appear. It steals the identity and climatically the life-time of the mob-boss Gutman. Brigid, the femme fatale, also loses in this pursuit, for she is left to the mercy of the law in the final pages. Whether death or imprisonment plagues the characters involved, the quest for an icon consumes their lives. Hammett illuminates the detrimental consequences of such quests through the aforementioned loss of identity, life, and freedom.This message is countered by the existentialistic denouncement of all icons. Existentialism provides a simple solution for such futile quests lives are not wasted in the search of an ico n. In pursuit of a precious icon, all characters lose themselvesa root of the existentialist crisis loss of self, questioning of existence (Existentialism). Another theme of inquiry in Hammetts novel deals with the constant search for the truth. Spade, the protagonist, is hurt by the ambiguity of truth throughout the novel.Spade is forced to discern lies from the truth within the first pages of the novel, where he meets Brigid, or rather Miss Wonderly as she is dubbed upon primary introduction. Brigid, notorious for her deceitful ways, confesses to Spade, once an invested kindred is established between the two I am a liar. I have always been a liar (353). Layman observes that the challenge for Spade in the book is to make up the rules as he goes along to decide for himself, without outside guidance, what he believes and what he believes in (71). These decisions shape Spades actions and economic aid to define his character.Spade, concerning himself with the quest for relevance and authenticity, as David Pickus writes in his expose on existentialism, is not the only character involved in the search for truth (17). Brigid, Gutman, Cairo, and Wilmer are forced to come to terms with the quest for truth and authenticity when it is discovered their falcon is a mere fabrication of the true Maltese falcon. After splinter the black enamel from the base of the falcon Gutman exclaims its a fake. Gutman reacts with his breath hissing between his teeth and his plaque becoming turgid with hot blood (430).This is representative of the anger Gutman possesses upon the realization of this on-going search for authenticity. Another method in which Hammett unveils existentialistic undertones is through his self-absorbed characters. Layman writes about Spade He is defining who he is. That is the simplest statement of the philosophy of existentialism (71). Spade relies solely on himself and often stretches the hands of the law. He undermines the police in rescript to prevent i nterference within his investigations, denouncing their authority.For example, when Dundy, a police officer tells Spade, Youve gotten away with this and youve gotten away with that, but you cant keep it up forever. Spade nonchalantly replies Stop me when you can (341). The article from the Philosophy website, titled Existentialism states that an existentialist believes that a person should be forced to choose and be responsible without the jock of laws, ethnic rules, or traditions. Spade epitomizes this idea with his actions throughout the novel. Brigid is another character who does not function within the realm of laws and rules however, she is a less responsible character than Spade.Brigids efforts are invested into self-preservation. She continuously fights to stay one step ahead of everyone through creating a web of lies, which ultimately becomes a defining element of her character. Her guile and obsession with obtaining her desires without concern for consequence or reputat ion demonstrates her loss of self in pursuit of something unworthy she becomes nothing more than a wanton woman with no true identity. In addition to his characterization, Hammett also utilizes the Flitcraft parable as a means of conveying existentialistic thought.Martin Harris writes The Flitcraft parable has been examined closely by those who see the twaddle providing an important key to Hammetts feelings about the meaning (or lack thereof) of human existence (241). The Flitcraft parable tells the tommyrot of a man who completely changed his life in consequence of one random event. Flitcraft, a conform to family man, encountered a near death experience via a construction beam plummeting into his path. This event made him stare the randomness of lifethere are no certainties. Spade tells Brigid Flitcraft felt like somebody had taken the lid off life and let him look at the works (335).Flitcraft understood the uncertainty of life after this experience. With this epiphany Flitcr aft began a new life he took the randomness of life and incorporated it into his existence. Aware of mortality and the significance of ones identity, Flitcraft exposed himself to an alternate life. trance Flitcraft ultimately ended up settling back into his prior lifestyle, the afterglow of his near death experience permitted him to revel in existentialism, for according to the web-article Existentialism the search of self-being is a fundamental element of the existential philosophy.Whether it is through various themes, characters, or a well place anecdote, the undertones of existentialism exist within the pages of Hammetts novel. Hammett effectively incorporated themes from his era into his literature. In a time where the spirit of optimism in society was destroyed, Hammett acknowledged realism within the text of his art (Existentialism). While existentialism no longer has an intoxicating hold on modern society, it lives in the pages of influential authors. The Maltese Falcons subtle cues to such great philosophical ideas assist in the significance that Hammetts works hold to this day.Works Cited Abrahams, Paul P. On re-reading The Maltese Falcon. Journal of American Culture 18. 1 (1995) 97-107. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 15 July 2010. Dooley, Dennis. Dashiell Hammett. New York F. Ungar Pub. , 1984. Print. Existentialism. Philosophy. AllAboutPhilosophy. org, 2010. Web. 01 Aug. 2010. . Hammett, Dashiell. The Novels of Dashiell Hammett. New York Alfred A. Knopf, 1965. Print. Hard-boiled Fiction. Encyclop? dia Britannica, 2010. Web. 30 July 2010. . Harris, Martin. Hammetts Flitcraft Parable, The Stepfather, and the Significance of falling Beams. Literature Film Quarterly 34.3 (2006) 240-248. MLA International Bibliography. EBSCO. Web. 15 July 2010. Layman, Richard. The Maltese Falcon. Detroit Gale Group, 2000. Print. The Maltese Falcon. The Big Read. case Endowment for the Arts, 2010. Web. 16 July 2010. . Metress, Christopher, ed. The Critic al Response to Dashiell Hammett. Westport, CT Greenwood, 1994. Print. Pickus, David. Paperback Authenticity Walter Kaufmann and Existentialism. Philosophy and Literature 34. 1 (2010) 17-31. Philosophers Index. EBSCO. Web. 31 July 2010. World War I. New World Encyclopedia. 09 May 2008. Web. 06 Aug. 2010.