The Maltese Falcon novel is a hardboiled novel. It characterizes the era of prohibition in San Francisco. The era of prohibition in San Francisco was an era where there was a sharp rise in mobs and crimes. Women were not left out of these changes. This was when some group of women will become known as flappers. Brigid O’Shaughnessy can be known as a young lady who took on to the flapper’s culture. The name the Maltese Falcon does not really reveal the novel as a dark and hardboiled novel enough. The 1972 edition cover of the novel reveals the novel will be a hardcore novel than the 1992 edition cover.
The 1972 edition cover has a deep black background. Looking at the color black alone will prompt a reader to get his mind ready for the hardboiled novel. I think the black color was chosen to show that most crimes were going to occur during the night. The first crime that was committed took place at night at a cemetery and if one reflects on that scene, one might see the reason why the black background d was chosen. The black background also reflects the hearts of Sam Spade, Brigid O’Shaughnessy and Mr. Gutman. These three characters are dangerous in their own ways. Sam Spade is a hardboiled detective that does not show any respect for the authorities. He does not trust anyone. It seems like he does not really want to have any woman in his life as he prefers flirting with women instead of having a true relationship with a woman. On the
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Falcons as a bird symbolizes prey. They are the swiftest of all bird preys. The bird can also be used to symbolize the character of Miss Brigid O’Shaughnessy and Sam Spade. This two characters are smart, they are quick to adjust to situations and cannot be caught even when they are in the act. If a reader also looks at the back story of the Maltese Falcon, it will very well prompt the reader into finding out what happened to the Maltese