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- Can Marlowe be considered a modern-day knight if 1930s American
society no longer knows what it means to be chivalrous? How is
Marlowe's cynicism toward life a reflection of the larger sense of
disillusionment felt by society in Depression-era L.A.?
- Chandler is famous for his "hardboiled" writing style. What
aspects of the novel make it hardboiled? How does Chandler achieve
such a dark tone through his writing style?
- How are women portrayed in this novel? Do women exercise any
power over the male characters, and if so, what kind of power do
they have and what is significant about it? What is Marlowe's
opinion of women? And be honest: is Big Sleep a misogynistic
novel?
- How is sexuality portrayed in the novel? Is female sexuality
seen as empowering or as dangerous and corrupt? What can be said
about Chandler's portrayal of homosexuality in The Big Sleep?
- To what extent is The Big Sleep a critique of American
society in the thirties?
- Why does Marlowe work as a private dick, rather than for the
police department? What does this say about Chandler's opinion of
the law?
* Some questions from SHMoop.
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