North American Literature

Student:

Montoya Ruiz, Julio César

Professor:Cardenas Cornelio, Yony

2011

Stephen Crane

Stephen Crane 1871-1900The Red Badge of Courageis one of the first modernAmerican novels.

Originally published serially in the Philadelphia Press in December, 1894, the novel was widely praised both by the general public and by literary critics

Crane had long been fascinated by the psychology of war; he had read books, listened to many stories by veterans of the Civil War, and studied closely the war photographs of Matthew Brady

Many readers are amazed to learn that Crane did not experience a battle firsthand until four years after the novel was published

When he did, he was relieved to discover that his novel was “all right” President Lincoln sits for an

official photograph by Matthew Brady

Crane with his wife, Cora, in 1899,just months before his death

The book starts out with a new regiment for the Union army waiting around for some fighting. Jim Conklin, a friend of the main character, Henry Fleming, hears some rumors about their next movements. He tells the other soldiers of the rumors telling them that they’re going to go around the enemy and attack them from behind.

Sure enough, a few days later, they start marching and they attack. This is the first battle for the regiment so a few soldiers, including Henry Fleming, desert the regiment. After Henry deserts, he finds Jim and walks with him for a while before Jim dies. Henry wanders about a bit and gets in a fight with another lost soldier of the Union army who hits him across the head with the butt of his rifle causing Henry to bleed.

By night, Henry, with the help of another soldier, finds his way back to his own regiment. Luckily, no one suspects Henry of deserting. Henry lies about the head wound being from the battle. During the night, Henry is cared for by a friend named Wilson. By morning, Henry is well rested and fights with his regiment several battles that day. Henry always stayed in the front and encouraged the other soldiers to fight harder showing much courage. He was complimented by the Colonel, but despite his victory, he still feels guilty about deserting his regiment the day before.

Henry Fleming picks upthe American flag beforeit touches the ground

Themes:

• Courage:

• Who Defines It? How is it Measured?

• Self-Preservation:

• At what cost?

• Transformation :

• Transcending childhood

Quotes

Read the following quotes and answer the questions.

1.From his home he had gone to the seminary to bid adieu to many schoolmates. They had thronged about him with wonder and admiration. He had felt the gulf now between them and had swelled with calm pride. He and some of his fellows who had donned blue were quite overwhelmed with privileges for all of one afternoon, and it had been a very delicious thing. They had strutted.

What is the idea of a hero for Henry according to this quote?

Vocabulary Bid adieu.- to say goodbye Throng.- to be or go somewhere in very large numbers Gulf.- difference Don.- to wear a piece of clothing Overwhelm.- to cause someone to feel sudden strong emotion Strut.-to walk in a proud way in order to look important

2.- He discovered that he had a scorching thirst. His face was so dry and grimy that he thought he could feel his skin crackle. Each bone of his body had an ache in it, and seemingly threatened to break with each movement. His feet were like two sores. Also, his body was calling for food. It was more powerful than a direct hunger. There was a dull, weight-like feeling in his stomach, and, when he tried to walk, his head swayed and he tottered. He could not see with distinctness. Small patches of green mist floated before his vision How does this quote help explain Henry’s personal growth?

Vocabulary

Scorching.- very hot

Grimy.- dirty

Crackle.- to make a lot of short, dry, sharp sounds

Sway.- to move slowly from side to side

Tottter.- to walk in a shaky way that looks as if you are about to fall

3.- He had been a tremendous figure, no doubt. By this struggle he had overcome obstacles which he had admitted to be mountains. They had fallen like paper peaks, and he was now what he called a hero. And he had not been aware of the process. He had slept, and, awakening, found himself a knightAccording to this quote, has Henry’s character changed yet?Vocabulary

Knight.-(in the past) a man of high rank who was trained to fight as a soldier on a horse

What is the message behind The Red Badge of Courage?