In examining the reasons why Sam Spade was capable of not being totally hypnotized by the tactics of Brigid O'Shaughnessy, it is important to note the differences between their motivations. When Spade recounts the story of Flitcraft to Brigid, he indirectly makes evident those aspects of his life and career that he values most. Although Flitcraft had a very successful life and was secure in his finances and relations, he disappeared from all that is familiar to him only to start again. Spade ends his story by telling Brigid that by having such an orderly life, Flitcraft had "got out of step, and not into step, with li

In both The Maltese Falcon and She Done Him Wrong, in addition to coming out as the victor over their circumstances, the men also get what they want from the women. Sam Spade becomes involved with Brigid O'Shaughnessy for a brief time, but only so much so that he is not consumed by her manipulations. Reverting back to the Flitcraft story, Spade reflects some of those qualities. Flitcraft was able to unwaveringly leave his wife, showing a great deal of detachment to her. Like Flitcraft, Spade did not get attached to Brigid. After Brigid had been missing for several days, Effie Perine was very adamant in persisting Spade to find her. Spade however, did not find Brigid O'Shaughnessy at the top of his priority list. After Captain Jacobi was shot outside of his office, Effie begged Spade to find Brigid, but he declines and tells her that "I've got to take care of this fellow first" (159). Because Spade does not run after Brigid despite her being missing for a few days displays a great endurance to stay focused on his job.

Examining the reasons why neither Captain Cummings nor Sam Spade fell for the stratagems of Lady Lou or Brigid O'Shaughnessy will reveal the difference between the capabilities of men and women, as well as their priorities in life, with regard to wealth, sex, and righteousness. As far as sex was concerned, both Cummings and Spade got what they wanted from the women. In the case of Cummings, the sex was alluded to, whereas with Spade, it was more obvious. In both cases, it did not interfere with their ultimate goals. Concerning wealth, Spade convinced Brigid to pay him three hundred dollars for his services, but he was not entirely convinced that his commission from the recovery of the Maltese falcon would be worth taking part in their illegal affairs. He was not motivated by money. Neither was Captain Cummings, who expressed to Lady Lou that he thought her diamonds were "cold, they have no warmth, no soul". Both men were ultimately driven by righteousness. As Spade turns in Brigid for murder, he tells her that "when a man's partner is killed he's supposed to do something about it.... when one of your organization gets killed it's bad business to let the killer get away with it" (214).

Both Cummings and Spade were submissive and somewhat resigned characters for the major part of their resp

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Approximate Word count = 1578
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)