"Respect." It's something you might say to someone who chased a vicious thug down a mountain on a wooden sled, or to someone who dug through a jail cell floor, clambered and tiptoed through a room of guards, crawled through a sewer, and successfully escaped prison.
These feats, however amazing, are not how Gustave has earned his reputation, though. Gustave is known for his charm and his undying servitude to the Grand Budapest Hotel and all its patrons—from the oldest of ladies to the youngest of Alberts. It's this reputation that follows him around like a heavy dose of L'Air de Panache, helping him gain the loyalty of even the most unlikely men.
Questions about Respect and Reputation
- What is Gustave's reputation like among the Desgoffe und Taxis family? Do you think this reputation is warranted?
- What do we learn about Mr. Mustafa's reputation? Does it match with what we know of his younger self?
- What differences do we see between respect and loyalty? Do the two always go together, or can you have one without the other?
Chew on This
Gustave's reputation is a part of the façade he has fabricated in order to be successful in the Zubrowkan hotel business.
Gustave only seeks to please. The respect he earns isn't because he wishes to be respected, but because he wishes to be accommodating… just like any first-rate concierge.