The Maltese Falcon

Spade feels so iconic and tough, but also morally complex. Did the author intend for him to be a reflection of the era's view on justice?

The characters' willingness to deceive and betray each other made me wonder if this reflects real human nature more than traditional hero stories.

The statue itself is almost a character, representing greed and obsession. I'm curious whether its symbolic significance was planned from the start or evolved during writing.