Alcohol and Escapism

Where it surfaces

• V

  Elliott's singing and poker playing serve as forms of escapism from the pressures of baseball and his financial struggles, highlighting a theme of seeking distraction and relief.

• VII

  Though not directly about alcohol, Elliott's erratic behavior and emotional outbursts reflect a desire to escape his situation.

• VIII

  The narrator's sleep disruption and reflection suggest an attempt to escape guilt and sorrow.

• Phil and His 4d

  The car serves as a means of escape from daily life, but the constant problems turn it into a source of stress rather than relaxation.

• Tour No. 2

  Larry uses drinking and gambling to cope with boredom and social discomfort on the ship.

• I

  Larry drinks wine and gambles to escape the boredom of the trip and the tensions with his wife.

• II

  The card game serves as a form of escapism from the routine of baseball, with Ike's alibis representing a desire to avoid direct confrontation.

• Chapter VI

  Ike's final line about having a drink for a cold hints at using alcohol as a coping mechanism.

• I

  Billy's highball consumption and his entertaining behavior are central to the scene, suggesting alcohol as a social lubricant and escape.

• III

  Billy is 'on the wagon,' having given up drinking, and mentions his struggle with quiet and temptation.

• V

  Billy's attempt to stay sober is undermined by Tommy, leading to a bet and subsequent drunkenness.

• The Last Night

  The chapter explores alcohol as a means of escape from reality, with Jay Arnold's heavy drinking and the final binge before he decides to quit.

• V: Katie Wins a Home

  The dinner party scene where Ralston drinks heavily, leading to revelations and mishaps.

• Red Riding Hood

  The story revolves around the grandmother's need for gin as a morning remedy, highlighting alcohol's role in daily life.

• What of It?

  The train's lack of a buffet car due to Prohibition highlights the era's alcohol restrictions, and the washroom serves as a retreat for smoking and thinking.

• Haircut

  Jim Kendall's drinking is a central element of his character, leading to his cruelty and eventual downfall.

• Reunion

  Stu's heavy drinking, beginning with highballs at lunch and continuing through the evening, serves as a means of coping with the boredom and frustration of hosting his provincial in-laws.

• I Can’t Breathe

  Frank's drinking and the use of cocktails as a social lubricant reflect the escapist tendencies of the era, and Ella's own romantic fantasies serve as a form of escape.

• V: How Spanish War Ended

  The conversation with Professor Snoot humorously touches on the ineffectiveness of Prohibition and the continued prevalence of drinking.

• XVIII: Halloween in Polyandry Hospital

  Dr. Gasp's high temperature is attributed to drinking 'heavenly,' hinting at alcohol use as an escape.

• Sun Cured

  Fretts's entire vacation is centered around drinking, from the initial gin bottles to the constant flow of cocktails, using alcohol as a means to escape his stressful work life.

• The Spinning Wheel

  The casino setting and the characters' pursuit of gambling and romance serve as forms of escapism from their mundane lives, though ultimately leading to disappointment.

• Man Not Overboard

  Brainard's heavy drinking is both a means to sustain his suicidal resolve and a way to escape his emotional pain, while Lemp's drinking leads to a cathartic confession.

• There Are Smiles

  Ben's initial desire to 'sleep two weeks' and his feeling of being unable to feel as bad as he thinks he does suggest a form of emotional escapism, though not directly tied to alcohol.

• Dinner

  Harry's desire for a highball serves as an escape from the tedious and nonsensical conversation. His request for a drink is a reaction to the social discomfort and absurdity of the evening.

• Ex Parte

  The narrator drinks rye whiskey with Harry Cross as a way to cope with his marital problems.

• Pity Is Akin—

  The chapter is steeped in drinking, from the Spaldings' rye to Marian's 'cough medicine,' highlighting alcohol as a means of escape and social lubricant.

• It's Got to Be Funny

  Booth takes a drink as he contemplates his creative block, using alcohol as a means of escape.

• Wasted Sympathy

  Booth's drinking, especially after realizing the woman is married, serves as an escape from his creative frustration and emotional disappointment.

• Detected!

  The emptied bottle of 'pretty good stuff' highlights the presence of alcohol as a central element in the scene, tied to the mystery and the character's nighttime routine.