This thesis intends to use the symbolic structure of cigar to analyze the extract Blackmail from Arthur Hailey's short novel Hotel.The function of cigar in Blackmail can be concluded as a) constructive clue of the plot progression,b) genteel carrier in making up characters.Rotating around the constructive clue,cigar,the writer of this thesis breaks down the whole story into seven parts,i.e.mystical entrance,prelude,crossfire,preparatory victory,absolute superiority,negotiation (absence of cigar) and discard.As to cigar's function of making up character,this thesis examines it from four main social and historical aspects,i.e.the origin of cigar in history,the social token of cigar,the complicated approaches of using cigar,and the historical stereotypes related to cigar smoking.
