How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from The Maltese Falcon.
Quote #7
SPADE: The fall guy's part of the price I'm asking. As for Miss O'Shaughnessy if you think she can be rigged for the part I'm willing to discuss it with you.
This is one of those difficult-to-read moments. Do you think Spade would betray Brigid's trust for the Falcon, too? Or did she ever have his trust? Or is Spade merely trying to convince Gutman that he's as ruthless as the fat man?
Quote #8
GUTMAN: Well Wilmer, I'm sorry indeed to lose you, but I want you to know...I couldn't be fonder of you if you were my own son. But well, if you lose a son, it's possible to get another. There's only one Maltese Falcon. When you're young, you simply don't understand these things
Perhaps Wilmer was a little naïve to think that Gutman would remain loyal to him. But is it Wilmer's fault? Wilmer didn't do anything to betray Gutman. But that doesn't change the fact that he's simply a bargaining chip.
Quote #9
SPADE: When a man's partner is killed, he's supposed to do something about it. It doesn't make any difference what you thought of him. He was your partner, and you're supposed to do something about it, and it happens we're in the detective business. Well, when one of your organization gets killed, it's…it's bad business to let the killer get away with it. Bad all around, bad for every detective everywhere.
Here, we learn what might be Spade's motivations the whole time—his loyalty to his career. He is a detective first and foremost, and everything he does is to preserve the integrity of the job. Well, as much integrity as it has in the first place.