Characters
The Glass Key is regarded as one of Dashiell Hammett's finest works. Here's an outline of the attributes of the characters in this story.
Ned Beaumont
A gambler who fancies himself as a detective, Ned is the central protagonist,
and unlike other heroes from Hammett's stories, Ned does not shy away from a
relationship with a girl. Janet is his love interest. Ned is loyal to his boss
and friend, Paul Madvig, and goes out of his way to help his friend clear his
name in a murder charge. He's tough and stoic along the lines of other
hard-boiled private eyes, stating "I can stand anything I've got to stand".
Paul Madvig
Madvig is a crooked politician who turns a blind eye to the vices that plague
the city. He's outwardly cheerful and wishes to marry Janet Henry, Senator
Henry's daughter, and thus move a few rungs up the political hierarchy. He's
framed for the murder of Taylor Henry, the senator's son.
Opal Madvig
Blue-eyed and with pink cheeks, Opal is
Paul Madvig's daughter and the love interest of Taylor Henry. She tries to
commit suicide by slitting her wrist.
Shad O’Rory
He's Madvig's rival in crime. He has Beaumont beaten
up by his bodyguard Jeff after Beaumont refuses his offer to frame Paul. Of
Irish stock, O'Rory is killed by Jeff.
Janet Henry
Janet is the daughter of Sen. Ralph
Bancroft Henry, and the object of Paul Madvig's affections. She is repulsed by
Madvig and ends up getting attracted to Beaumont. Brown-eyed and feisty, she
plays a crucial role in cracking the case of her brother, Taylor Henry's,
murder.
Senator Henry
Madvig's chosen candidate for the post
of senator in a likely re-election, the senator is a cynical politician who is
ruthless in his quest for political dominance. He epitomizes corruption and
hypocrisy in the upper political echelons.
Taylor Henry
The morally decrepit son of Senator Henry, Taylor
is murdered, and the murderer is revealed toward the end of the novel. He is
Opal's boyfriend.
Bernie Despain
A gambler, Bernie is owed money by Taylor.
Bernie, in turn, owes money to Ned. He's a suspect in the murder of Taylor
Henry.
Jeff
O'Rory's bodyguard, Jeff is the archetypal slow-witted
henchman who delights in dishing out punishment for his boss. He administers a
severe beating to Beaumont, and strangles O'Rory to death.
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