Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- In what ways is the world of Red Harvest a "man's world" (as opposed to a "woman's world")? How do expressions of masculinity structure the society of Personville?
- Does the end justify the means in Red Harvest? Is the Op morally exempted from the countless murders that occur in the name of cleansing Personville?
- Is Hammett's novel a reflection of the corruption of 1920s America? In what ways might Red Harvest be read as a social critique of American society? Or as a moral critique?
- How does Red Harvest depict violence? Is violence in the novel shown to be redemptive? Does killing solve the problems plaguing Personville?
- In what ways does this novel fulfill the requirements of the mystery-novel genre? In what ways does it defy them?
- What's up with the Continental Op's name? As in, why doesn't he have one? How does this impact the way you view his character?
- What does the phrase "blood simple" mean in the context of the novel?
- How does this novel stack up against more contemporary detective and mystery novels? Where does the Continental Op fit in the long line of famous crime-solvers (think Sherlock Holmes, Philip Marlowe, Columbo etc.)?
- Why do you think this novel was never adapted to film, like many of its contemporary hard-boiled detective stories? If you were going to adapt it for the screen, who would you cast in the starring roles? What kinds of artistic choices would you make?