The Big Sleep

Main Characters and Their Development

• Philip Marlowe: A private detective and the main character of the book. Marlowe is intelligent, insightful, and cynical, unafraid to confront conflicts and take risks to solve the case. Throughout the story, he faces numerous dangers and moral dilemmas but maintains his professional ethics and pursuit of justice.
• General Sternwood: An elderly and ill man who hires Marlowe to investigate a case involving his daughters. The general is wealthy and influential, but his health and family issues make him vulnerable.
• Vivian Rutledge: The elder daughter of General Sternwood. Vivian is a beautiful, smart, and independent woman, but her life is filled with secrets and dangers. Throughout the story, she finds herself involved in complex and perilous situations, but her character and determination help her cope with challenges.
• Carmen Sternwood: The younger daughter of General Sternwood. Carmen is beautiful but capricious and irresponsible, prone to risky behavior. Her actions and connections to the criminal world become one of the main causes of the problems Marlowe faces.
• Eddie Mars: The owner of a gambling establishment and one of the antagonists of the book. Eddie is a cunning and dangerous man connected to the criminal world. His actions and intrigues create numerous obstacles for Marlowe during the investigation.