Unsentimental has already been a part of the characterization of Spade, but now it must permeate into the writing style. Merriam defines sentimental as “Resulting from feeling rather than reason or thought”, so unsentimental would be “resulting from reason or thought rather than feeling”. Hammett’s unsentimental style can be exemplified through is diction and syntax in the following quote “Cairo spoke quickly, before he could be questioned, and the muscles of his face quivered the strain of holding his smile in place while he spoke” (78). Hammett’s simply describes what Cairo is doing and does not substitute actions for emotions. Instead of saying “the muscles of his face quivered the strain of holding his smile”, the sentimental way would be something along the lines of “pretended to look happy”. Hammett’s diction conveys more information and reason than the alternative. Hammett’s syntax pushes the sentence from topic to topic, through his use of clauses and commas. This formation of the sentence makes it read more logically and provides reason as to why each event occurred; “Cairo spoke quickly” to get his words out “before he could be questioned” and “his face quivered” because he had to fake a “smile”.
Vernacular speech is the last aspect Hammett uses in setting the precedent for his new genre. Several quotes can show this type of writing. “It’s no crime to kid a copper, is it?”, “You belched for help and you’ve got to take it”, and “No, no, for Christ’s sake” (79). All of these quotes are written in a form that implies speech and not perfect English. A “copper” is basically slang, and not the word Hammett would have chosen if writing in a different style. “Belched for help” is once again a phrase that is more likely to be said and not written. Lastly, “no, no” would be unnecessary in conventional written English but is often used in speech to add emphasis. Vernacular speech is the last checkmark that proves Hammett’s style to be one of a new style, hard-boiled fiction.
Vernacular speech is the last aspect Hammett uses in setting the precedent for his new genre. Several quotes can show this type of writing. “It’s no crime to kid a copper, is it?”, “You belched for help and you’ve got to take it”, and “No, no, for Christ’s sake” (79). All of these quotes are written in a form that implies speech and not perfect English. A “copper” is basically slang, and not the word Hammett would have chosen if writing in a different style. “Belched for help” is once again a phrase that is more likely to be said and not written. Lastly, “no, no” would be unnecessary in conventional written English but is often used in speech to add emphasis. Vernacular speech is the last checkmark that proves Hammett’s style to be one of a new style, hard-boiled fiction.
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