The boat had served as a small society, and the efforts of each man helped to bring them back to safety. If one of the men had not done his part, the boat would have capsized, killing all of the men. Each man was connected because their actions affected each other. The oiler sacrificed his life by working through the night to keep the boat afloat, and he did not get as much rest as the rest of the men. However, the oiler was strong enough to swim close enough to the shore, and when he was found dead, he was laying on the sand. His death symbolized the end of part of the society that had been formed on the boat. The men still had a bond, which is shown in the last line, "When it came night, the white waves paced to and fro in the moonlight, and the wind brought the sound of the great sea's voice to the men on shore, and they felt that they could then be interpreters." This shows that although the men were now on shore, they understood that everyone in life is connected, the way everything in nature is connected. The actions of each man on the boat affected everyone else, but they also learned that the connection still exists on land. The connection is not as tangible as in a limited space, but everything in nature and society is intertwined, the way the sea and wind is intertwined. .
"The Blue Hotel" is also about brotherhood and the connections between men. The setting for "The Blue Hotel" isolated the men using a blizzard. The Palace Hotel was located in Fort Romper, Nebraska. Three men came to stay at this hotel, and were isolated by a blizzard. The isolation of the hotel owner, Scully, his son, Johnnie, along with the three hotel guests, caused the fates of the men to be intertwined. When they arrived, the Swede was apprehensive. Scully gave him liquor, and the Swede soon became outspoken and rude. During a game of cards, the Swede accused Johnnie of cheating. Offended, Johnnie wanted to fight.
