Peter’s Rise and Retention of Edgar

This flow traces Peter’s rise to superintendent and the control he maintains over Edgar after Stella’s death.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Longtime Clinician

Authority from Experience Institutional Seniority Peter has worked at the hospital longer than the custodial staff and knows its wards and routines intimately. He prefers clinical work and aesthetic interests to administration. Ambition Reconsidered Although Peter disclaims interest in Jack Straffen’s position, he understands the professional politics around succession. His eventual appointment tests the gap between his stated detachment and his capacity for ambition.

Becoming Superintendent

The Institution’s New Head Reluctant Appointment When the hospital seeks a successor, Peter agrees to take over, despite presenting himself as a reluctant stopgap. He gains authority over admissions, wards, and the fate of patients including Stella and Edgar. Personal Power The office makes Peter’s interventions decisive, but it also strengthens his ability to confuse private desire with professional judgment. His authority is not merely administrative; it shapes which relationships are permitted to continue.

Keeping Edgar in Custody

Authority Without Closure Refusing Release or Reunion Peter keeps Edgar in the Refractory Block and withholds news of Stella’s death while seeking to hear his account. Edgar remains hostile, but Peter believes that his dependence will eventually soften him. Possession Through Memory Peter keeps Edgar’s drawings and the bronze cast of Stella’s head in his office. His final claim that he still has Edgar reveals how custody and memory have become intertwined with possessive grief.

Before Jack Straffen’s retirement

After Jack Straffen retires

After Stella’s death