Discuss the way gender and gender roles are portrayed by the 1941 film “The Maltese Falcon”. You may focus on
the film’s men, its women, or both (or, indeed, those characters who fail to fit neatly into a
binary conception of gender). Consider first that ways in which the film reinforces stereotypical
gender roles and polices conformity to gender norms. Second, read the film “against the grain”
and consider how it might upset those roles in some way or how it might celebrate ways of doing
gender that deviate from the norm. Be sure to consider more than one character in answering
this question. Include a detailed close reading of at least one specific scene, and demonstrate the
specific ways that elements in the scene tie in to the larger issues you are discussing.
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