The gun
The gun Marlowe uses to kill Derace symbolizes violence in Bay City, California. During Marlowe's private investigations in the city looking for Crystal, organized gangs in the streets attack him frequently. Marlowe believes that the only way to be secure in the city's streets is to own a gun in case of an attack.
Motels
Exclusive motels in Bay City symbolize opulence. Marlowe discovers that every street in the city has an exclusive motel flocked by several people throughout the night. Marlowe realizes that powerful businesspeople such as Derace, who acquire their wealth using crooked means such as defrauding fellow businesspeople, own most of the elite motels in the city.
Cavendish’s black eyes
Cavendish's black eyes symbolize deception. Marlowe is attracted to Cavendish the first day they meet. Cavendish looks innocent, and her beautiful black eyes convince Marlowe that she is a genuine person who can help her in the investigation concerning Crystal. Cavendish tells Marlowe that she is Crystal's best friend and can help trace the last places she visited before she went missing. However, Marlowe is shocked later when he realizes that Cavendish and her lover Derace jointly killed Crystal.
