Compare Anne Riordan to Mrs. Lewin Lockridge Grayle. Using specific textual examples, discuss which of the older married woman's traits or characteristics influence Marlowe's preference for Mrs. Grayle.

Discuss what Second Planting means when he calls himself "a Hollywood Indian" on page 119. What kind of language does Second Planting use the first time he meets Marlowe?

Choose three examples of vernacular language and explain how the meanings have changed or not since the time Farewell, My Lovely was first published in 1940.

What is Velma Valento's real identity? Why is finding Velma so important to Moose Malloy?

What does nosy neighbor Mrs. Morrison do that causes her to lose credibility with Lieutenant Randall? Why does the elderly woman go to another room and begin to cry?

On page 2, Philip Marlowe describes a man being thrown out of Florian's. What is unusual about the character's language...