A Comparison Of Progression And The Structure Of The Blue Hotel

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Progression and the Structure of The Blue Hotel



In his essay, Robert F. Gleckner discusses progression, as it is related to the structure of "The Blue Hotel." He follows the progression of power and control in the story, as it shifts to different characters. Gleckner also follows the progression of the storm outside and how it symbolizes a natural force that will always be more powerful than human control.

In the beginning of "The Blue Hotel," Scully has the power, as he "practically makes [his three guests] prisoners. They are "conducted" into the Blue Hotel. At this time the Swede feels weak and nervous in the unfamiliar territory and scared of "The West." Scully shows his power over the paranoid Swede by saying, "If anybody has troubled you I will take care of him. This is my house. You are under my roof, and I will not allow any peaceable man to be troubled here." …show more content…

Gleckner states, "With his final gesture of warm comradeship, the offer of his private whiskey, Scully loses control completely. . .the Swede regains control of himself and will now try to extend it, like Scully, to all men." When they return to the card game the Swede shows his control subtly by sitting where he wants and getting his own drink. Scully tries to regain his control by talking about the guests "under his roof," but the Swede continues to exert his power by insisting on another game High-Five. During this next game, control shifts between characters. Gleckner writes, "the cowboy and the Swede whack the board in violent control; Johnnie cheats to control; the Easterner allows the others to control by remaining silent." During the fight as well, each character tries to gain control, "Scully by refereeing, the cowboy by restraining the Swede, the Easterner by pleading to end the fight, all three of them by

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