You Can't Keep a Good Man Down

Given the number of times Marlowe is attacked in this novel, one can surmise that it is part of his character to simply pick himself up and continue moving forward. Being beaten, kidnapped or drugged are all possible scenarios in Marlowe's line of work and that is how he responds to physical violence most of the time. It is surprising that he does not use his gun more often. This only proves, however, that while Philip Marlowe may be streetwise, he still possesses a certain kind of intelligence that enables him to think his way out of particularly troublesome spots. There are other times when Marlowe simply relies on sheer will to see him through. An excellent example of the strength of the character's will is the way in which he manages to sober himself up enough to escape from Sonderborg's clinic...