Stephen Crane, a renowned author famous for his diverse short stories, was born in Newark, New Jersey. He hailed from a family of Methodist ministers and received his education at Lafayette College and Syracuse University. Eventually, he became a freelance journalist in New York City. Crane’s significant contribution to literature includes his short stories and experimental poetry that foreshadowed the emergence of ironic realism in the ensuing decades (741-743). Despite living a relatively brief but active life, Crane managed to publish fourteen books while leading an adventurous writer’s lifestyle. One of his notable works is “The Blue Hotel,” a novel centered around the theme of death. When the Swede arrives at the Blue Hotel, he interprets it as symbolic of the untamed west due to exposure to numerous dime novels. This interpretation only further unsettles him about staying there. In one scene, the Swede expresses his fear of being killed and acknowledges that he does not anticipate leaving the hotel alive (771). This fear intensifies his desire to depart; however, Pat Scull—the owner of the Blue Hotel—tries to persuade him otherwise by giving him a tour and showing him pictures of his family. Among these pictures is one depicting Scully’s deceased daughter Carrie; Scully describes her beautiful hair and expresses deep affection for her (773).In this episode, Crane skillfully employs color imagery to accentuate the theme of death. In a room that is dimly lit, Scully recounts the tale of his daughter who has passed away, all while enigmatic shadows captivate the Swede. Feeling apprehensive in the hotel setting, initially the Swede harbors suspicions regarding the safety of Scully’s whiskey and suspects it may be poisoned. Nonetheless, after persuading him that it poses no harm, the Swede warily takes a sip.
The Swede, who has become more relaxed and starts drinking excessively after receiving whiskey, accuses Johnie, Scully’s son, of cheating in a card game. He believes that the only way to resolve this is through a fight. Surprisingly, as onlookers chant for Johnnie to kill him, the street becomes covered in pure white snow. The Swede expects the spectators to attack him but Scully arranges for only him and Johnnie to fight. Similar to other parts of the novel, The Swede is afraid to fight Johnnie because he fears losing and being killed by the crowd. Despite his fear, The Swede manages to win the fight which ultimately leads to his demise.
After defeating the hotel owner’s son, The Swede decides it’s time for him to leave. While still intoxicated from the whiskey, he stops at a nearby saloon hoping to celebrate his victory. However, when he realizes no one wants to celebrate with him, he becomes frenzied and grabs the gambler by the throat. Suddenly, everyone witnesses a long blade effortlessly stabbing The Swede’s body like a melon before their eyes.
The Swede’s lifeless body collapsed to the ground beneath the bar he had been drinking at.
The presence of death is a recurring theme in The Blue Hotel, as seen through Crane’s use of color, character flaws, and plot. The Swede’s fear of death ultimately leads to his demise. If he had not been drinking, it is highly probable that he would not have become so aggressive and started the fatal fight with the gambler.
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