Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

1985

Thesis Director

David B. Downing

Abstract

The five works of Stephen Crane I chose to discuss in this thesis are: "The Open Boat," "A Mystery of Heroism," "The Blue Hotel," Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, and The Red Badge of Courage. All of these works are representative of the fictional vision of Stephen Crane. A persistent theme that Crane uses in virtually all of his stories is the relationship between the human and the natural worlds. The world of nature is one of indifference. It shows no interest in the activies of mankind, and is, in fact, incapable of doing so. But Crane's characters often make the mistake of thinking of nature as either a safe refuge for them to hide away in, or as a violent world that is bent on destroying them. In the five works mentioned above Crane explores in-depth the struggles of humanity as it attempts, or not, to come to terms with both the natural world and the social world. In two of the stories, "The Open Boat" and The Red Badge of Courage, the characters progress through a series of stages until they come to a realization about their own insignificance in the face of a powerful yet indifferent force. They survive, though, by forming a bond of human fellowship that provides the comfort, companionship, and support that is needed as they attempt to exist in the world. In the other three works, "A Mystery of Heroism," "The Blue Hotel," and Maggie, there is no fellowship developed between characters and the social world in which they live is bleak and harsh. No lessons are learned in these three stories as the characters refuse to acknowledge their insignificance and even go so far as to treat the natural world with contempt. They believe in their own self-importance and shun the fellowship of humanity.

I discuss "The Open Boat" first because it is a good representative of the theme of this paper. The characters all come to a realization of their insignificance and find comfort in the bond that is established between the men. "A Mystery of Heroism" is next because man is given a chance to learn from an act of compassion that happens during a moment of fear but he completely ignores it because he is too caught up in his own self-importance. "The Blue Hotel" shows the insignificance and pettiness of men as they play their childish games in the face of an all-encompassing storm. Maggie: A Girl of the Streets is a dismal story that offers no hope to humanity. Crane paints us a picture of a humanity that is living by false moral codes and expectations. Nature, in the end, is a way of escape for Maggie, but no problems are solved and her death is meaningless. I end with The Red Badge of Courage because it strikes a somewhat hopeful note for humanity instead of the dirge that is played in Maggie. Henry Fleming not only comes to terms with his own insignificance and with the indifference of nature, but also learns of the importance of human solidarity as it is what helps him to make it through the battles he has to fight.

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