Greed Theme Analysis

In The Maltese Falcon, greed is the driving force that motivates most of the characters. In the most obvious example, Brigid O’Shaughnessy kills Miles Archer so she can frame Floyd Thursby and keep the profits from selling the statue for herself. Casper Gutman, meanwhile, represents the embodiment of greed. The other characters refer to him as “Mr. G” in reference to his large “gut” as well as his greed, linking his excess desire for money with gluttony. Even Gutman’s pistol is covered with jewels, suggesting that violence and greed are counterparts of one another. Greed so corrupts Gutman that he is willing to betray Wilmer Cook, who he says is like a son to him, in order to continue his pursuit of the Maltese falcon. While Spade betrays Brigid for justice, Gutman turns on Wilmer for money.

In contrast, Spade struggles to and eventually does control his greed. Throughout the novel, Spade never misses an opportunity to make some quick cash. However, Spade ultimately hands over to the police the bribe he pretended to take from Gutman. The only major character who seems beyond the grasp of greed is Effie Perine who warns Spade that if he takes advantage of Brigid by taking her money without offering help, then she will lose all respect for him.

In addition to being a symbol of the illusory nature of truth, the Maltese falcon also symbolizes greed. The statue drives people to murder and betrayal, but, in the end, the statue is worthless. As a result, the statue also reveals the hollowness of greed itself, how it drives people to actions that lead only to isolation or self-destruction.