The Blue Hotel
by Stephen Crane

The Blue Hotel: Style 1 key example

Section 8
Explanation and Analysis:

Crane’s writing style in “The Blue Hotel” is simultaneously journalistic and literary. Take the following passage, for example, which comes near the end of the story, as the Swede starts a fight with the gambler:

“What! You won’t drink with me, you little dude? I’ll make you, then! I’ll make you!” The Swede had grasped the gambler frenziedly at the throat, and was dragging him from his chair. The other men sprang up. The barkeeper dashed around the corner of his bar. There was a great tumult, and then was seen a long blade in the hand of the gambler. It shot forward, and a human body, this citadel of virtue, wisdom, power, was pierced as easily as if it had been a melon. The Swede fell with a cry of supreme astonishment.