The Big Sleep

by

Raymond Chandler

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on The Big Sleep makes teaching easy.

Grifter

“Grifter” is a slang term for a petty thief or low-ranking criminal. Joe Brody and Harry Jones are both examples of grifters. They both aspire to run their own racket. However, both Brody and… read analysis of Grifter

Racket/Racketeer

Eddie Mars is the primary example of a “racketeer” in The Big Sleep. Described as “manicured” and “well-dressed,” Mars runs a casino—his highly profitable “racket.” Racketeers are a rung, or many, above lowly griftersread analysis of Racket/Racketeer