History

Stephen Crane was an American author who has been lead to believe that he really first introduces the style of exposing the unfavorable conditions and war in America. Stephen Crane has been known for using an amount of impressionism, realism, and symbolism in his stories. Furthermore, it is his impressionism and realism that seems to attract the audiences. For example, according to L. Marston, "The real source of these novels and any other important Crane work seems to simplify the ironist's incredible awareness of human nature. " Crane's ability to paint these vivid pictures with his words allowed him to entice his readers to connect their lives with his works.

The Red Badge of Courage seems to be one of his stories that includes the most amount of realism. With realism being a manner of treating subject matter that presents a careful description of everyday life, usually of the lower and middle classes, Crane uses a soldier named Henry Fleming to demonstrate how the average person would react to each situation in war. According to H.G. Wells, "I suppose that it must have said hundreds of times that this book is a subjective study of the typical soldier in war." In this story Crane paints the picture of war, and with its detail it shows the realness of it all; it doesn't have much sweetness and uplift in the story. This is showing how war truly is, that every soldier going in won't be the country's next big hero. This story also goes in the mental state of some soldiers out there. Referring to V.S, Pritchett, "The Red of Courage, where the young man is seen in the camp listening to the rumors and torturing himself with questions. He feels courageous but will courage stand? Will he stay or will he run in panic? These are overcasting questions." Crane uses his ability to get inside of Henry's mind to make the decisions most average soldiers would make. For example, either running away from the action and war, or being brave enough to pick up the flag when the flag bearer is down. Therefore, B. Weisberger says, "The Red Badge of Courage is both realistic and modern precisely because of its mastery handling of interior action." Crane even goes deeper to the emotional level of Henry and his family. For example, when Henry's mom is warning him about war and Henry is just letting his courage and pride block her warnings. Now for any mother letting their son go to war would be hard, especially when the thought of them not being able to see them again goes through their mind. Crane uses this passage in his story which relates to some mothers today those who also forewarns and worry about their sons about the dangers of war. Crane also speaks of fallen humanity quite well within this story. For example, Lean and the Adjutant could be said to have lost their way because of their duties, and yet they know that this is not wrong but it can't be right. This is seen in