Authors are influenced by catastrophic events such as political upheaval, natural disasters and even war. As people live through these events opinions are molded and talents are discovered. Stephen Crane born in New Jersey on November 1, 1871 experienced all of these things in his young life. In his most famous novel The Red Badge of Courage, war was the prominent theme throughout the story. Having never fought in a war, Crane used research to write a novel that would reflect the struggles taking place in the United States during the Civil War. “But more than his imagination was at work. He studied the memoirs of Union Army veterans in the Century and other magazines” (Mitgang). Stephen Crane, as well as many authors of his caliber, utilize
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Crane got into novel writing using his true life experiences from New York. The novel, The Red Badge of Courage “leaves the impression that Crane's own life as a street reporter, war correspondent, novelist and aspiring bon vivant was perhaps his most original piece of work” (Mitgang). This work is centered around a young soldier named Henry, who struggled with the day-to-day decision of risking his life to defend his country or to run away from the situation out of fear of losing his life. Not only was he enduring the actual battle taking place but also dealing with the mental battle in his head as he struggled with his own personal anxiety. Henry experienced a personal transition that took him from being a self-centered man to someone who subsequently put the welfare of his fellow soldiers above his own safety. Crane wrote this book in hopes of giving the world a glimpse of how war affects soldiers. He is known for creating realistic scenes of combat and war and the emotions that come with it. The novel is famous for its realism as it adequately portrays the effect war has on a …show more content…
Prior to Crane’s publication of The Red Badge of Courage, he was an unknown author trying to find his way in the world. However, he instantly proved his credibility after becoming a notable writer, and earning eighth place in the international booksellers list. The book “was ranked among the foremost literary achievements of the modern era” (The Red Badge of Courage). “His "war novel" won him widespread international praise, from admiring newspaper notices like those in the New York Times and the Philadelphia Press to the more discerning responses of critics such as Englishman George Wyndham” (The Red Badge of Courage). These awards were given because of the effect the novel had on the informing of society of the realities of war. “Much of the impact of Red Badge arose, then, from its powerful pictures of war, the images that leapt off the page into the mind of the reader” (The Red Badge of Courage). These images were not always welcomed by society but were vital to understanding the true situation. Through this award-winning piece of fiction, society become aware of the outside world and the actual event of a
Crane got into novel writing using his true life experiences from New York. The novel, The Red Badge of Courage “leaves the impression that Crane's own life as a street reporter, war correspondent, novelist and aspiring bon vivant was perhaps his most original piece of work” (Mitgang). This work is centered around a young soldier named Henry, who struggled with the day-to-day decision of risking his life to defend his country or to run away from the situation out of fear of losing his life. Not only was he enduring the actual battle taking place but also dealing with the mental battle in his head as he struggled with his own personal anxiety. Henry experienced a personal transition that took him from being a self-centered man to someone who subsequently put the welfare of his fellow soldiers above his own safety. Crane wrote this book in hopes of giving the world a glimpse of how war affects soldiers. He is known for creating realistic scenes of combat and war and the emotions that come with it. The novel is famous for its realism as it adequately portrays the effect war has on a …show more content…
Prior to Crane’s publication of The Red Badge of Courage, he was an unknown author trying to find his way in the world. However, he instantly proved his credibility after becoming a notable writer, and earning eighth place in the international booksellers list. The book “was ranked among the foremost literary achievements of the modern era” (The Red Badge of Courage). “His "war novel" won him widespread international praise, from admiring newspaper notices like those in the New York Times and the Philadelphia Press to the more discerning responses of critics such as Englishman George Wyndham” (The Red Badge of Courage). These awards were given because of the effect the novel had on the informing of society of the realities of war. “Much of the impact of Red Badge arose, then, from its powerful pictures of war, the images that leapt off the page into the mind of the reader” (The Red Badge of Courage). These images were not always welcomed by society but were vital to understanding the true situation. Through this award-winning piece of fiction, society become aware of the outside world and the actual event of a