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Samuel Spade's jaw was long and bony, his chin a jutting v…

“Samuel Spade's jaw was long and bony, his chin a jutting v under the more flexible v of his mouth. His nostrils curved back to make another, smaller, v. His yellow-grey eyes were horizontal. The V motif was picked up again by thickish brows rising outward from twin creases above a hooked nose, and…” quote by Dashiell Hammett
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“Samuel Spade's jaw was long and bony, his chin a jutting v under the more flexible v of his mouth. His nostrils curved back to make another, smaller, v. His yellow-grey eyes were horizontal. The V motif was picked up again by thickish brows rising outward from twin creases above a hooked nose, and his pale brown hair grew down--from high flat temples--in a point on his forehead. He looked rather pleasantly like a blond Satan.”

Dashiell Hammett

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Physical description uses repeated V shapes to emphasize a character’s sharp, unsettling presence.

In simple terms: V shapes highlight a striking, eerie look.

Key Takeaway

Notice recurring visual motifs.

Themes

characterization visual symbolism literary style

Mood

analytical observational

Type

literary descriptive

When to use this quote

  • character analysis
  • creative writing
  • visual arts

Key Concepts

pattern recognition psychological impact descriptive technique

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do visual details shape perception?
  • What does the V motif suggest?
A Different Perspective

May be overly focused on appearance.

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