How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Who said I had a key?"
"Don't kid me, son. The f** gave you one. […] He was like Caesar, a husband to women and a wife to men." (17.10-11)
Marlowe tries to get Lundgren to give him the key to Geiger's house. The last sentence in this passage is ambiguous, but Marlowe seems to be suggesting that Geiger was bisexual. We don't know for sure whether Marlowe was only making up information to test Lundgren's reactions.
Quote #8
"He was afraid of the police, of course, being what he is, and he probably thought it a good idea to have the body hidden until he had removed his effects from the house." (18.47)
Marlowe is talking about Carol in this passage, suggesting that because Carol is gay, he was afraid of the police finding out. What is the effect of Marlowe's exhibition of homophobia in this scene? In the hardboiled world of L.A., the need to assert one's masculinity is a key way of attaining power. What happens to the dynamics of power when issues of homosexuality are introduced into the picture?
Quote #9
"That's the way it is. Kissing is nice, but your father didn't hire me to sleep with you." (23.135)
Marlowe allows Vivian to kiss him, and he does seem to enjoy it. But Vivian's sexual allure only goes so far. Marlowe refuses to let her off the hook, continuing to ask her what Mars has on her. Vivian is accustomed to using her sexuality as a weapon to get what she wants, so she's of course miffed that Marlowe won't play along.