Essay About Bloody Clash Of The War And Human Nature

The Red Badge of Courage: Naturalistic
Essay Preview: The Red Badge of Courage: Naturalistic
Report this essay
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane, one of the most significant and renowned
books in American literature, defies outright classification, showing traits of both the realist and
naturalist movements. It is a classic, however, precisely because it does so without sacrificing
unity or poignancy. The Red Badge of Courage belongs unequivocably to the naturalist genre,
but realism is also present and used to great effect. The conflict between these styles mirrors
the bloody clash of the war described in the book Ð- and the eternal struggle between good and
evil in human nature.
There are many characteristics in Cranes novel that would more readily fit within the
category of realism: the ordinariness of his characters, the use of dialect, the portrayal of
protagonist Henry Fleming as a complex individual, the description of nature as disinterested in
human affairs, and the positive ending of the story. Realism, often described as “slice of life” or
“photographic” writing, attempts to portray life exactly as it is, without twisting it or reworking it to
fit it into preconceived notions of what is appropriate or what is aesthetically pleasing. In this
book, Crane relies on neither the oversimplified rationalism of classicist literature nor the
emotional idealism of romantic prose. Instead, he offers realistic, believable characters with
average abilities. The soldiers are presented neither as epic heroes nor as bloodthirsty killers;
rather, their most noticeable trait is their overwhelming normalcy. The soldiers of Henrys
regiment curse, fight, and argue just like normal people. This down-to-earth, gritty, everyday
style is characteristic of realism. A particular convention used by Crane in convincing the reader
of his characters existence is dialect. The distinctive speech of the soldiers enhances the
photographic effect of the novel, lending it authenticity.
Another distinctive trait of realism is complexity of character Ð- a trait readily evident in Henry
Fleming. As he switches between cowardice and heroism, compassion and contempt, and
optimism and pessimism, the reader observes that he is more than just a stereotype. He is a
person with fears, hopes, dreams, and foibles. Lastly, nature is often portrayed as indifferent or
disinterested in the affairs of humankind. Whereas naturalism involves emphasis on the hostility
of nature, realism lacks this trait. For example, after fighting a battle, “the youth [feels] a flash of
astonishment at the blue, pure sky and the sun gleaming on the trees and fields. It [is]
surprising that Nature [has] gone tranquilly on with her golden process in the midst of so much
devilment” (64). Later, when Henry takes refuge in the woods, the sanctuary of the natural
world seals out all sounds of the human conflict taking place: “It [seems] now that Nature [has]
no ears” (79). During a different battle, “the day [grows] more white, until the sun [shines] with
his full radiance upon the thronged forest” Ð- a symbol of purity amid the bloody affairs of man
(156). Similarly, the smoke of deadly battle is contrasted with the unadulterated innocence of
nature: “A cloud of dark smoke, as from smoldering ruins, [goes] up toward the sun now bright
and gay in the blue enameled sky” (165). Crane detaches the war from the rest of the world,
stating that “the world [is] fully interested in other matters. Apparently, the regiment [has] its
small affair to itself” (172).
Lastly, the positive outlook with which the book concludes points to realism. Whereas
naturalism would pit the soldiers against impossible odds, a certain victory “[shows] them that
the proportions [are] not impossible” (191). Immersed in the sweetness of victory, “the past
[holds] no pictures of error and disappointment” (200). At the books end, Henry reconciles
himself with his feelings of guilt and shame. He abandons war, and “scars [fade] as flowers”
(223). He retires to “an existence of soft and eternal peace” (223). A golden ray of sun at the
books close symbolizes the ray of hope Crane has for mankind. However, the solitary beam is
nearly lost amid a mass of dark thunderheads. Correspondingly, although traits of realism are
very evident, ominous naturalism is always present and usually dominant.
Naturalism, the practice of using scientific theory to develop and explain characters and
events, is largely negative and pessimistic, often emphasizing mans impotence in affecting his
own destiny. Also, the ideas of evolution and natural selection figure prominently into naturalism.