In Krúdy’s novella entitled, The Last Cigar at the Grey Arabian, presents the consequences of repression. The Colonel served in the army and is currently assigned to kill a journalist who insulted the high class force, the Casino. He is hesitant about this assignment which then he attempts to put on an image of higher society in order to separate from his true emotions about his profession. Inevitably, he is placed in an environment where it is evident that the Colonel is damaged and is dueling with himself. Therefore, the Colonel’s particular ‘low-class’ environment represents the internal and unrepairable internal wound that he attempts to cover up.
First and foremost, the surroundings that the Colonel places himself in recits the reminders of his pain. The story begins with the announcement that a duel is taking place in the barracks. Interestly, the use of the word barracks parallels his wound as there are hardships of one when in war. Then, the Colonel travels to the Grey Arabian tavern, where he distinctively decides to sit down on a table with …show more content…
In the beginning in the story, it is described that the “salt is kept in [the Colonel’s] vest pocket (Krudy 1). Moreover, he told by the butcher’s wife, from which he got crackling from, to visit the tavern as they carry salt there. However, the Colonel doesn’t use the salt but all the other items he consumes are described. Interestly, it correlates with the Colonel as salt is an ingredient that can help heal and cut or a wound. Although, it burns when applied. The Colonel, having an internal wound, wishes to not, or has no intention, to heal himself. This also correlates with the clinic assistants not showing up. Both of these factors of healing do not work for the Colonel, thus when one feels hurt they feel weak and try to cover up and separate themselves from their real
First and foremost, the surroundings that the Colonel places himself in recits the reminders of his pain. The story begins with the announcement that a duel is taking place in the barracks. Interestly, the use of the word barracks parallels his wound as there are hardships of one when in war. Then, the Colonel travels to the Grey Arabian tavern, where he distinctively decides to sit down on a table with …show more content…
In the beginning in the story, it is described that the “salt is kept in [the Colonel’s] vest pocket (Krudy 1). Moreover, he told by the butcher’s wife, from which he got crackling from, to visit the tavern as they carry salt there. However, the Colonel doesn’t use the salt but all the other items he consumes are described. Interestly, it correlates with the Colonel as salt is an ingredient that can help heal and cut or a wound. Although, it burns when applied. The Colonel, having an internal wound, wishes to not, or has no intention, to heal himself. This also correlates with the clinic assistants not showing up. Both of these factors of healing do not work for the Colonel, thus when one feels hurt they feel weak and try to cover up and separate themselves from their real