The Big Sleep: Chapter 18 Summary & Analysis

Ohls stands in the crime scene with Marlowe as the latter offers the details on the entire web of illegal activities that branch out from that central moment.

Similarly to Marlowe, Ohls expresses sympathy for Owen, even implying him killing Geiger was not necessarily an immoral act. Yet Ohls looks at Lundgren with distaste, despite the fact his victim was also a criminal. As such, it is Lundgren’s sexuality that disgusts Ohls and Marlowe, rather than him committing murder. Killing has become commonplace in the city, but these men cannot accept nonconformance to gender roles.

Wilde’s large and traditional house marks him out as being from a wealthy social circle. But as Chandler has shown with the Sternwoods, this does not mean Wilde is morally upstanding.

Wilde relaxes at his ease in his home, as the men from the city’s frontline report back to him. Like Sternwood and Marlowe’s relationship, Wilde draws on lower ranking officials to do the hard work. 

Ohls knows that Cronjager must have nothing, as he has the suspect in his own car. As such, this question is disingenuous, serving to set up Ohls’ own dramatic revelation and show up Cronjager.

With glee, Ohls offers his revelation, with a predictable response from Cronjager. Perhaps unpredictable is Wilde’s approval of this competition between policemen. It seems he is aware of the police’s wider lack of cohesion and mutual support.

Again predictably, Cronjager voices displeasure that Marlowe had kept the police out of the loop. Cronjager has some right to be displeased, as Marlowe was acting in his client’s interest, and to protect his own safety and income, rather than following the letter of the law.

Ohls narrates the interweaving tale of various characters’ illegal and questionable acts. Marlowe, who has been caught up in this web for the past two days, steps in to provide the finer details. The complexity of the story reflects the depths of the city’s moral decay.

Marlowe decides to keep two non-crucial aspects of the story to himself, for reasons that benefit himself and his client, as he later reflects.

Cronjager’s objection is valid, as Marlowe had not reported the crime as he legally ought to have. Yet Marlowe’s assertion that the police do not follow their own moral code undercuts Cronjager’s suggestion that the rule of law is effective, or even a positive force, in the city.

Familiar with the complexity of the city’s criminal world, Wilde challenges Marlowe’s version of events, which seems too simple. Wilde knows that such criminals could commit any number of wicked acts. 

Lundgren assumed the worst of Brody, leading him to make a terrible mistake. Yet, it seems Lundgren, for one, was not driven by survival but by grief. Only those who unwaveringly ensure their own survival will remain unscathed in this dog eat dog environment.

The evidence on the table represents the many, imaginative forms of decadence and depravity exhibited among L.A.’s residents. What is more, these are only reference points, as the full story lies much deeper, such as Geiger’s blackmailing attempt being a test of Sternwood’s resolve.

Marlowe admits to acting in others’ interests, and Cronjager’s knowing “snort” in part displays his surprise Marlowe openly admitted to holding back nonessential information for his own reasons.

In response to Wilde’s question, but also to rebuff Cronjager’s triumphant shout, Marlowe points out that the city police overlook their own duties when it suits them, so Cronjager cannot act morally superior. Cronjager doesn’t try to, and leaves. 

Left alone with the District Attorney, Marlowe seems to have won the exchange with Cronjager. Marlowe’s cynical attitude toward the police has challenged Cronjager’s lax policing, to which the captain cannot respond.

Marlowe distances himself from the police’s methods, as the detective openly works for his clients, whereas the police claim to serve the public but really serve whoever pays the most. At least Marlowe is honest about his cover ups.

Wilde admits to offering his friends favors, as his assistance to General Sternwood has artificially preserved the rich family’s respectability. This example shows how the wealthy use their connections to maintain their social positions. Yet Wilde says Sternwood is at fault for his daughters’ misbehavior, a parallel example to how the authorities’ mismanagement of the city has led to its moral decay.

Wilde gives Marlowe back the evidence that would connect the Sternwood family with the murders of Geiger and Brody. The District Attorney has decided once again to protect his friend, despite the escalating immorality tied to that family’s name.