Owen Taylor’s Fatal Protection

The Big Sleep

Owen Taylor’s affection for Carmen leads him to confront Geiger, escape the scene, and die in a staged-looking car plunge.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

An Old Attachment An Old Attachment from "The Big Sleep". An Old Attachment A romantic episode Bernie Ohls tells Philip Marlowe that Owen Taylor once took Carmen Sternwood toward Yuma.

An Old Attachment from "The Big Sleep". An Old Attachment A romantic episode Bernie Ohls tells Philip Marlowe that Owen Taylor once took Carmen Sternwood toward Yuma.

An Old Attachment A romantic episode Bernie Ohls tells Philip Marlowe that Owen Taylor once took Carmen Sternwood toward Yuma. The family intervened, and Taylor was allowed to return to work. Unequal power Taylor’s history makes clear how vulnerable he is to the wealthy household. His affection for Carmen persists despite the family’s control over his livelihood.

The Confrontation The Confrontation from "The Big Sleep". The Confrontation A protective motive Owen Taylor enters Arthur Gwynn Geiger’s home because he objects to Geiger’s treatment of Carmen Sternwood.

The Confrontation from "The Big Sleep". The Confrontation A protective motive Owen Taylor enters Arthur Gwynn Geiger’s home because he objects to Geiger’s treatment of Carmen Sternwood.

The Confrontation A protective motive Owen Taylor enters Arthur Gwynn Geiger’s home because he objects to Geiger’s treatment of Carmen Sternwood. He catches Geiger photographing her while she is drugged. A fatal shot Taylor fires, killing Geiger, then flees with the photographic plate. His action protects Carmen from one threat while creating a murder investigation.

The Sapped Escape The Sapped Escape from "The Big Sleep". The Sapped Escape A second attacker Joe Brody pursues Owen Taylor after hearing the shots. He knocks Taylor unconscious and takes the plateholder from him.

The Sapped Escape from "The Big Sleep". The Sapped Escape A second attacker Joe Brody pursues Owen Taylor after hearing the shots. He knocks Taylor unconscious and takes the plateholder from him.

The Sapped Escape A second attacker Joe Brody pursues Owen Taylor after hearing the shots. He knocks Taylor unconscious and takes the plateholder from him. A dangerous flight Taylor recovers and escapes, leaving Brody behind. Brody later uses the photographs to blackmail the family, extending the consequences of Taylor’s brief flight.

The Pier Plunge The Pier Plunge from "The Big Sleep". The Pier Plunge A fatal drive Owen Taylor’s Buick is found submerged at Lido Fish Pier with Taylor dead inside.

The Pier Plunge from "The Big Sleep". The Pier Plunge A fatal drive Owen Taylor’s Buick is found submerged at Lido Fish Pier with Taylor dead inside.

The Pier Plunge A fatal drive Owen Taylor’s Buick is found submerged at Lido Fish Pier with Taylor dead inside. A blow to the head suggests he may have been struck before the car entered the water. An uncertain account The evidence supports both an accident-like plunge and foul play. Marlowe knows Taylor was involved at Geiger’s house but initially conceals that connection.

An Official Suicide An Official Suicide from "The Big Sleep". An Official Suicide A convenient headline The newspapers describe Owen Taylor as the driver of a suicide car and separate his death from Geiger’s murder.

An Official Suicide from "The Big Sleep". An Official Suicide A convenient headline The newspapers describe Owen Taylor as the driver of a suicide car and separate his death from Geiger’s murder.

An Official Suicide A convenient headline The newspapers describe Owen Taylor as the driver of a suicide car and separate his death from Geiger’s murder. The public account omits his connection to the Sternwoods. A buried motive Taylor’s love for Carmen and his role in Geiger’s death remain outside the official story. His attempt to protect her ends in a death publicly explained away.

about a year before the main action

the first rainy evening

shortly after the shooting

the same rainy night, around 9:30–10 p.m.

the morning after the pier discovery