XII: Merry-Go-Round explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Deception and Duplicity

  Iva Archer's alibi is presented with skepticism; Spade distrusts her story and the overall web of lies.

• Betrayal and Loyalty

  Spade's loyalty is tested as he navigates conflicting accounts from Iva and Brigid; Sid Wise questions Spade's trust.

• Urban Alienation

  Spade's solitary movements through the city and the 'merry-go-round' of futile actions underscore a sense of isolation and disconnection.

Characters to notice

• Sam Spade

  Searches Brigid's apartment, disarms Wilmer, meets with Sid Wise, and learns Brigid is missing.

• Brigid O'Shaughnessy

  Her apartment is searched by Spade; she fails to arrive at her intended destination.

• Wilmer Cook

  Escorts Spade to Gutman's; is disarmed by Spade in the corridor.

• Sid Wise

  Spade's lawyer; relays Iva Archer's alibi and discusses the case.

• Effie Perine

  Reports that Brigid never arrived; confronts Spade about the situation.

• Iva Archer

  Her alibi is recounted by Sid Wise; she claims to have followed Miles and then gone to a movie.

Key passages

• “The cheaper the crook, the gaudier the patter”

  Low-level criminals tend to use flashy, clichéd language.

  Spade mocks Wilmer's threatening tone.

• “Another merry-go-round”

  Another pointless, repetitive cycle of events.

  Spade expresses frustration upon learning Brigid is missing.