How Does Stephen Crane Use Heroism In The Red Badge Of Courage

In Greek mythology war is represented as a glorious or a very heroic way to either die or become a man. War then was viewed in a very poetic, beautiful, and romantic way. “ not for what they tell us about the Civil War but rather for what they fail or refuse to tell us about it, what they “write out” of the history of war: the actual violence of war itself”(Adam H. Wood). This one of the main themes Stephen Crane has in his literary works, is how heroism isn't as glorious as people wanted to believe. The second theme is nature and how it contrasts man's actions. Crane uses heroism and nature in The Red Badge of Courage and in “The Open Boat” to explain his world view. Stephen Crane was born in November 1, 1871 in Newark, New Jersey. His father, Jonathan Crane was a Minister Jonathan died, leaving crane to be brought up

In this short story Crane uses waves as a symbol of the majestic power and beauty of nature. “ A singular disadvantage of the sea lies in the fact that, after successfully surmounting one wave, you discover that there is another behind it, just as important and just as nervously anxious to do something effective in the way of swamping boats” (214 “The Open Boat”).this quote brings out a vivid picture of how nature is never ceasing for anything around it. The last point that Crane makes is how men are utterly powerless of what's around them.” Was I brought here to merely have my nose dragged away as i was about to nibble the sacred cheese of life? It is preposterous! If this old-ninny-woman, Fate, cannot do better than this , she should be deprived of the management of man's fortunes. She is an old hen who knows not her intention. If she has decided to drown me, why did she not do it in the beginning, and save me all the trouble? ,,The whole affair is absurd….But no; she cannot mean to drown me. Not after all this work!” (223, “The Open