The Thin Man

In Chapter 25, Nick says to Dorothy, “I’m not a psychoanalyst. I don’t know anything about early influences. I don’t give a damn about them” (149). What does Nick’s refusal to listen to Dorothy’s story about her childhood say about his methods and theories as a detective? How does this compare with other detective stories you’ve read?

What is the purpose of the narrative in Chapter 13 concerning a case of cannibalism in late-1800s America? What does it say about the characters of Gilbert, who asks about the subject, and Nick, who has the answers?

Some elements of the hardboiled detective story are a street-smart, jaded detective, a femme fatale, and corruption pervading society. What elements of the hardboiled genre are seen in The Thin Man? What makes it different from other classics such as Hammett’s novel The Maltese Falcon?

What elements of Mimi Jorgensen’s character qualify her as the classic femme fatale of hardboiled fiction? What about her character disqualifies her?

One of the themes of the novel is The Inescapable Past. How do each of the characters relate to this theme?

How does Nora’s closing line, “[I]t’s all pretty unsatisfactory” (201), engage with the themes of the novel and the motif of thinness?

The red herring is a standard element of detective fiction and refers to clues meant to mislead the detective and the reader. What red herrings does Hammett plant? Which is the most successful, and why?

Money appears to be the driving motive for all the characters. How does money affect each of the main characters? What would change if their financial situations were different?