Although Chandler's works might not directly criticize society, they do showcase his keen insight into American life. In The Big Sleep, Chandler subtly addresses the deterioration of the American family, primarily blaming it on the corrupting influence of wealth. The wealthy Sternwood family discovers that their riches only bring them misery. They try to use their money to escape their unhappiness: General Sternwood hires Marlowe to safeguard the family's reputation from scandal, while his daughter Carmen attempts to "buy" a certain notoriety among criminals, ultimately becoming involved in murder. A character aptly comments on their wealth, saying, "All it ever bought them is a raincheck." By the novel's end, Marlowe reflects that money cannot alter destiny, as death makes everyone equal. The characters' exaggerated quests for these false idols underscore this theme.

The Big Sleep also mirrors the pervasive disillusionment that emerged after World War I and the Great Depression. The narrative includes organized crime, portraying the pornography industry as a deceitful and unstable societal undercurrent. Chandler implies that the post-Depression era depicted in The Big Sleep is characterized by fragile and unreliable human connections.

Chandler claimed that The Big Sleep didn't have a central theme, calling it "just another detective yarn that happens to be more interested in people than in plot." However, one prominent theme that surfaces is the widespread drinking, a result of the end of Prohibition, which led to an open display of loose morals and flexible ethical standards. Many characters in Chandler's work are heavy drinkers; some depend on a mild whiskey haze to get by. Chandler wasn't criticizing alcohol consumption, as his own life would later show; he was merely portraying the damaging effects of the environment on his characters.

Although Marlowe works for General Sternwood, a wealthy individual, his allegiance is tied not to Sternwood's fortune but to his age, vulnerability, and integrity. Throughout the narrative, Marlowe interacts with people based on how they treat him personally, rather than their societal rank or status.

This approach is clear in his encounters with the Sternwood sisters, who, despite their affluent upbringing, behave as if they are entitled to special privileges. Vivian Regan is surprised by Marlowe's "rude manners" during their first meeting, and Carmen Sternwood is so unnerved by Marlowe's refusal of her advances that she attempts to kill him.

Marlowe also displays contempt for Captain Cronjager during his visit to Wilde's office, refusing to acknowledge Cronjager's authority as a police captain while discussing the Geiger and Brody murders. Marlowe's behavior reflects his own sense of entitlement about his position as a private investigator just as much as it highlights Cronjager's arrogance.

In the early 20th century, the sheer horror and scale of World War I atrocities led many to lose faith in both God and organized religion. This disillusionment was compounded by the increasing acceptance of scientific theories such as evolution, causing people to question the existence of a benevolent higher power that gave life meaning. As a result, many found themselves searching for purpose. Some, like the Sternwood sisters, turned to indulgence in gambling, drinking, and promiscuity. Others, like Marlowe, discovered purpose through their work and a commitment to a personal code of honor. Meanwhile, individuals like General Sternwood, who had lost much of their physical capabilities, continued to live vicariously through people like Marlowe and Rusty Regan. Nonetheless, the specter of death looms over all these characters. As Marlowe reflects at the novel's end: "What did it matter where you lay once you were dead? ... You just slept the big sleep, not caring about the nastiness of how you died or where you fell."

Laws aim to ensure safety for citizens, uphold social order, and promote justice. Despite this, the widespread corruption and lawlessness depicted in Chandler's novel illustrate the disintegration of the social structure in 1930s Los Angeles. Police officers shield pornographers and gamblers, women ruin men for entertainment, the affluent escape repercussions, and appearances can be misleading. Characters often exploit each other for personal gain. The core of Chandler's narrative is encapsulated by the minor criminal Harry Jones, who confides to Marlowe, "We're all grifters. So we sell each other out for a nickel."