Journal 10: Stephen Crane

Michelle Romero
Eng 48b
Dr. Scott Lankford

Stephen Crane, "The Blue Hotel."

"A new game was formed jocosely. The cowboy volunteered to become the partner of Johnnie, and they all then turned to ask the Swede to throw in his lot with the little Easterner. He asked some questions about the game, and learning that it wore many names, and that he had played it when it was under an alias, he accepted the invitation." pg. 929

This passage seems to parallel the realities of "social change" during the Civil Rights Movement. Many "faces" were tried on, yet the same discrimination persisted. Most disturbing about this passage is the reference to this sort of reality as just a game.

Earlier passages set the scene to describe the techniques and genius by which the proprietor attracts travelers to his hotel. Crane makes it clear that the painted color blue against the cultish brown-reds stands out on purpose when he calls Scully a "master of strategy" on page 927. This title indicates a clear understanding of his actions. It is Scully's purpose to lead travelers to his hotel. Even more so, he seduces the travelers from where they are as it was "Scully's habit to go every morning and evening to meet the leisurely trains that stopped at Romper and work his seductions upon any man that he might see wavering, gripsack in hand" until finally he "catches" three men (928). This word, "seduction" is not casual, it is not by accident. Crane is illustrating the details of a grand scheme which is orchestrated in his capture of unsuspecting travelers.

The real message behind the whole scene is that all the details and plans which go in to his luring of these strangers is just a game. It is in fact, a game which has undergone superficial changes, but not any real change.

In addition, the Swede is asked to partner with the "little" Easterner. What was little? I do not recall any mention to his height or weight previously because there is none, yet Johnnie and the cowboy view him as just a little Easterner. Johnnie and the cowboy do not even know him; they have all just recently met. Anyway, the two marginal races are grouped together against the two more Western characters.

Also important to note is how the Swede, who at the time was part of a marginalized, discriminated group, agreed to throw in his lot and play this game after already realizing he recognized it before. I almost feel that this mirrors Booker T. Washington who was the dominant Negro leader during the majority of Crane's time. Washington recognized well the problems which encumbered the Negro man, yet many times as Du Bois would later argue, he yielded to the familiar rules set by the white man in "compromise."

I do not feel Crane's writing reflects a distinct racial theme specific to one group, but much of his language is highly aware of the dominant group vs. the minority groups as we see in these passages and definitely seems to be a thematic thread throughout "The Blue Hotel."