The Lady in the Lake

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1943

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Before You Read

Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-8

Chapters 9-16

Chapters 17-24

Chapters 25-32

Chapters 33-41

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

How would you compare Philip Marlowe with other famous literary detectives, like Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade, or Hercule Poirot? How does Marlowe introduce new forms of characterization to the broader detective fiction genre?

How does the setting of Southern California develop the novel’s themes? Which aspects of the novel are unique to Southern California’s landscape and culture?

How would you compare the femme fatale, Mildred, with the woman that Marlowe admires, Adrienne Fromsett? How are other women treated in the text?