"If yeh want a drink so bad why don't yeh go git it?" The Civil War in 1855 conveyed to bring demands for a "truer" type of literature that does not idealize people or places. Consequently, the use of visualization and detached narration is constant in Crane's writing. In A Mystery of Heroism, Stephen Crane demonstrates characteristics of naturalism describing the actions of a typical individual. Throughout the story, the author uses symbolism, irony and visualization to reflect the elements of Realism and Naturalism.
One of Crane's exemplifications of symbolism during the story is the bucket of water that Collins risks life to go and fetch. "Suddenly there was an oath, the thud of wood on the ground, and a swift murmur of astonishment among the ranks. The two lieutenants glared at each other. The bucket lay on the ground empty." One of the interpretative meanings of the bucket is that the author highlights the pointlessness and futility of war. On the other hand, the bucket represents the heroism that he displays by taking such risk to
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"The two lieutenants glared at each other. The bucket lay on the ground empty." Collins risked his life for a cause he didn't need and ended up having it taken from him. The only person who got to drink the water was faded to die. "A shell struck the grey ruins of the house and as, after the roar, the shattered wall fell in fragments, there was a noise which resembled the flapping of shutters during a wild gale of winter." This type of visualization and a detached narrative is a characteristic of Realism. Crane uses an essential vivid description of the battle to make the reader realize the danger and risk of Collin's actions. Therefore, Crane, as a Realist writer adopted the scientific method of detached observation so that the narrator of the story sounds unbiased and distant and the reader can conclude whether Collins is a hero or