The Subplot of the Stay at the Lodging House

The protagonist's time at the lodging house in Vaterland, his attempts to write, and the growing hostility of the landlady.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Arrival

The Arrival The Shelter After receiving the half-sovereign from the Commandor, the protagonist stays at the lodging house for travelers. He has a room on the second floor. The Work on the Allegory He spends days writing an allegory about a fire. He is confident, but the piece remains unfinished. The Landlady's Patience She gives him bread and butter, but he cannot pay. She becomes anxious.

The Confrontation over the Account

The Confrontation over the Account The Mistaken Sum The landlady asks him to check an account. He cannot add up the sixteenths of cheese. He fails, and she loses faith in him. The Eviction Threat She tells him he must leave. He pleads for more time, but she is firm. He is forced to move to the family room. The Humiliation He shares the room with the family, including a paralyzed old man and mocking children. He feels degraded.

The Final Scene

The Final Scene The Attempt to Return to the Room He tries to write in his old room while the sailor is out. The landlady catches him and screams at him. He leaves. The Half-Sovereign Thrown Outside, he receives Ylajali's half-sovereign and throws it at the landlady. He leaves Homeless. The Departure He signs on the ship, ending his stay at the lodging house. The experience has broken him.

Part IV

Part IV

End of Part IV