Abstract
Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep depicts Los Angeles at a time of great unrest. The atmosphere is that of mistrust, deception, selfishness and a slight hint of hedonism amongst some of those who dwell in the city. In stories, or situations taking place in such an environment, we usually find that the protagonist stands above the trend often alone by way of value, a sense of right and wrong as well as the conviction to act on those characteristics. Philip Marlowe, our protagonist, fits this mold. He is countered by the Sternwood sisters, Carmen and Vivian, who give us an example of the deception and selfishness that seems to permeate within the city of Los Angeles. By analyzing the motivation and personalities of Philip Marlowe, Carmen Sternwood and Vivian Sternwood we can put a microscope on the city of Los Angeles in Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep.
