ATDTDA (19): Back to the lower depths, 519-520

[Paul Nightingale]

In a previous section Kit expressed his preference for fourth class over
"his palatial accommodations" (511). Fourth class introduced him to Root,
who then introduced him to "the engine spaces" (516); now he finds he cannot
get back to his previous status. Thus far the dining saloon/salon has played
an important role, but now there are "no women, flower arrangements, dance
orchestras, haute cuisine" (519). He is "given a bunk in the crew's
quarters", and "work[s] regular stoker shifts": a loss of status, and a loss
of individuality (or "sort of invisibility"). One might wonder if, finally,
he has found a way of escaping/hiding from Vibe. Cf. the exchange with
Colfax on 329: "You'd have to hide darned well, Kit." One might also liken
his 'disappearance' from the passenger ship, wherever that is, to Dally's
departure from RW's party (350-351); while the workspace ("the lower
depths", 519) invokes mining (the "gigantic bituminous hand" on 517, one
signifying labour, might be that of his father, whose absence he was
lamenting on 515).