Stephen Crane: A Naturalistic

Stephen Crane: A Naturalistic

Steven Crane was born numerous years subsequent to the end of the American Civil War. Despite this, his novel The Red Badge of Courage portrays the war vividly; and created dramatic portrayal of the terrors of men in combat so powerfully. So much so, those veterans who have read the novel believe he was among them. His career lasted less than 10 years; though the naturalistic writer created many novels, short stories and poems in his short life. Cranes vivid depictions set the premise for American writing in the twentieth century.

Stephen Crane, A well-known American writer born in Newark, New Jersey. (Knapp, 2003) He was one of fourteen children of John and Mary Crane (13). The Crane family was raised under strong Methodist values; this would later influence the writing of young Stephen Crane. Stephen educated himself how to read and write in order to assist his father in writing letters at just the age of four (14). "Crane began to write storied at the age of eight" (14). Crane published several articles before he was 16, while supporting himself as a freelance journalist (16).

After Crane began attending the University of Syracuse, his literary career took off (15). Crane began writing for the New York Tribune (15). Crane was a talented writer and this did not come unexpected, as both of his parents were not unfamiliar to the writing world (13). Stephen Crane was a meager 22 years of age when he published his first book Maggie. This novel was not as successful as his later novel The Red Badge of Courage would become. Crane gained most of his popularity through this novel.

Crane was exceptionally proud of his American heritage and continued to write, novels, short stories and poetry until in inopportune death (16). Stephen Crane died at the young age of 29, from Tuberculosis (2p287). His tragic and untimely death shocked and distraught many. "Such prodigious work in so young a life makes one wonder if the great American authors death at 29 was not foretold" Crane may have passed on but his legacy and work roared on. Stephen Crane was an established American writer. "In 1950 John Berryman's Stephen Crane established him as an American Classic" (Unger)

Stephen Crane is frequently thought of as both a Naturalistic and Realistic writer (5). Stephen Crane's usage of characters, symbolism, theme, and language are some indicators of Naturalistic writing. Naturalistic writing shows man as the victim in a certain circumstances. Contained by Crane's works, the central character is publicized as a casualty of nature. This is depicted in "The Open Boat" when Billie, the oiler and only named character in this story. He dies while struggling to swim ashore. When Stephen Crane was a writer Naturalism was in its initial stages. Naturalistic works were being produces, however they were ignored; naturalism simply did not appeal to the readers of that time. "Stephens fiction is typically categorized as representative of naturalism, realism, impressionism or a mixture of the three"(6).

Moreover, Mr. and Mrs. Crane raised a brawny Methodist family. Crane being one of fourteen offspring was significantly influenced the Methodist morality and principles his large family upheld (4). "From his parents he received a style for biblical form or fashion" (4). Stephen Crane's mother, Mary Crane, was a writer amongst herself. "His mother wrote religious articles for Methodist journals and other newspapers" (Bloom, 11) Crane having been enveloped by religious influences in entire existence, was bound to "remain dominated by fundamental religious precepts" (14). Furthermore, Mr. and Mrs. Crane were involved in charity works; "which in turn sparked his influence in slum life, he slowly became interested in war" (7).

In accumulation to his religious background much like other writers of his time, he was "influenced by Emerson, Thoreau and Hawthorne" (16). These three writes were widely known for their transcendentalism: God, Nature and man as a free flowing unit. This brought together Crane's Methodist background and his naturalist writing style. However, along with Emerson, Thoreau and Hawthorne he too was influenced by Charles Darwin, whose attitude contradicted all that is Christian (15). Cranes understanding of transcendentalism and Darwinian beliefs brought equilibrium to his writing. In spite of the conflicting inspirations him he is a well known and successful writer.

" [Stephen Crane] is a great artist, with something new to say, and consequently, with a new way of saying it", says one critic (3). The criticism surrounding this twentieth century protégé is remarkably contradicting. "Mr. Crane has surely contrived a masterpiece "(3), Some have even gone as far to say, "Crane pioneered the development of literary naturalism" (11). He is well