#1. "Something new." "Never been guessed before." "A very fresh note." The critics agreed there was something different going on here. Many books about war, some quite realistic, had already been written. First-person narration was not unusual. What was fresh in Crane's approach?
The Red Badge of Courage and First-Hand Accounts of War
First Person
Locate a brief passage (about a paragraph in length) from The Red Badge of Courage that describes a battle scene with much confusion. Contrast it with the following third-person passage from The Successes and Failures of Chancellorsville by General Alfred Pleasonton, from "The Century Illustrated Monthly" Magazine, May 1886 to October 1886 Pleasonton's account—like Crane's—is action-packed and quite specific. Its perspective, however, is wider and it is written in the third person.
Shots were fired at hazard in every direction. The First and Third Virginia regiments, no longer recognizing each other, charge upon each other mutually; Stuart's mounted men, generally so brave and so steadfast, no longer obey the orders of their officers, and gallop off in great disorder. At last quiet is restored, and the brigade finally reaches Spotsylvania Court House, while the small band which has caused so much alarm to Stuart was quietly retiring to Chancellorsville.
#2. Which passage comes closest to giving the reader the feeling he is actually experiencing the event? In what ways?
A Blow-by-Blow Description
Locate a brief passage (about a paragraph) from The Red Badge of Courage that offers a blow-by-blow description of events in a battle. Contrast it with the letter from Peter Boyer to his father, written sometime in May 1863, which summarizes the letter this way: "Boyer provides a description of the Chancellorsville battle in Virginia." Boyer relates an experience that happened in "the thickest of the fight."
#3. What do we learn from Boyer about "the thickest of the fight?"
#4. What do we learn from Crane's passage?
Vivid Imagery
Locate a brief passage (about a paragraph in length) from The Red Badge of Couragethat offers vivid imagery to describe events in a battle. Contrast it with The Artillery at Hazel Grove, a description of one small part of the Chancellorsville battle that emphasizes military strategy. The Artillery at Hazel Grove is very specific in its description of the movements of troops and equipment.
#5. What is the purpose of the writer's actions during the Chancellorsville battle?
#6. What is Crane's purpose?
#7. How does each passage differ in its effect on the reader?
A Minimum of Linking Narrative
Locate a brief passage (about a paragraph in length) from The Red Badge of Courage that describes the course of an assault using details and mental associations rather than factual or realistic representation. Contrast it with the following excerpt (written in the first person) from "Chancellorsville," a first-hand account of the battle from the Confederate point of view, from Chapter VIII of Reminiscences of the Civil War by John B.Gordon.
While the battle was progressing at Chancellorsville, near which point Lee's left rested, his right extended to or near Fredericksburg. Early's division held this position, and my brigade the right of that division; and it was determined that General Early should attempt, near sunrise, to retake the fort on Marye's Heights, from which the Confederates had been driven the day before. I was ordered to move with this new brigade, with which I had never been in battle, and to lead in that assault; at least, such was my interpretation of the order as it reached me. Whether it was my fault or the fault of the wording of the order itself, I am not able to say; but there was a serious misunderstanding about it. My brigade was intended, as it afterward appeared, to be only a portion of the attacking force, whereas I had understood the order to direct me to proceed at once to the assault upon the fort; and I proceeded. As I was officially a comparative stranger to the men of this brigade, I said in a few sentences to them that we should know each other better when the battle of the day was over; that I trusted we should go together into that fort, and that if there were a man in the brigade who did not wish to go with us, I would excuse him if he would step to the front and make himself known. Of course, there was no man found who desired to be excused, and I then announced that every man in that splendid brigade of Georgians had thus declared his purpose to go into the fortress. They answered this announcement by a prolonged and thrilling shout, and moved briskly to the attack. When we were under full headway and under fire from the heights, I received an order to halt, with the explanation that the other troops were to unite in the assault; but the order had come too late. My men were already under heavy fire and were nearing the fort. They were rushing upon it with tremendous impetuosity. I replied to the order that it was too late to halt then, and that a few minutes more would decide the result of the charge. General Early playfully but earnestly remarked, after the fort was taken, that success had saved me from being court-martialed for disobedience to orders.
#8. What is the purpose of Gordon's account?
#9. What is the purpose of Crane's account?
In the Style of Documentary Reportage
Locate a brief passage (about a paragraph in length) from The Red Badge of Couragethat offers writing in the style of documentary reportage (a kind of "you are there" approach that recounts events by letting people and events speak for themselves through the liberal use of quotations, a focus on details, and a lack of commentary). Compare it to the following excerpt from an English journalist's reports about the Union troops at the Battle of Bull Run, on Page 741 of Recollections of the Civil War - V by Sir William Howard Russell, Ll.D., Special Correspondent of "The Times" (London). .
At that very moment Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Seward were passing through the ruc'k of the straggling debris. The President soon had a striking proof of the terrible disorganization. An officer of the regular army was endeavoring to get the crowd in Fort Corcoran into order. He was menaced with death, because he threatened to have an officer of the Sixty-ninth shot for disobeying his orders.
The men of the battalion rushed to the President and complained that Sherman—for it was he—had insulted their officer. When the President inquired into the cause of the tumult Sherman replied: "I told the officer that if he refused to obey my orders I would shoot him on the spot! I repeat it now, sir; if I remain in command here, and any man refuses to obey my orders, I will shoot him on the spot." This firmness in the presence of the President overawed the mutineers, and they set about the work that Sherman had ordered them to execute.
#10. How do the passages resemble one another? In other words, what do these passages have in common? This is a comparison, in which you must identify commonalities between the two passages.
#11. What differences are found? In other words, how are these passages different? This is a contrast, in which you must identify differences between the two passages.
#12. A Day in the Life of _______
Create a first-person account that employs the basic stylistic characteristics of The Red Badge of Courage. Begin with a series of five or more images about a specific event: original sketches, family photographs, historical images, or images from magazines and newspapers. Students then create their own illustrated, impressionistic account of a particular event. Your event should be a minimum of 300 words.
#13. Is it fair to say that Crane’s purpose in The Red Badge of Courage was to communicate a complete picture of one soldier’s experience of battle? Describe how he accomplishes this.
Yes, I do believe it is fair to say this. We are shown what the war looks like through the eyes of a soldier not only in real life but also what Henry is experiencing in his head. His inner most thoughts are also having a war with one another, as the day of battle draws near, Henry contemplates on what it really means to be a hero.
#1. In Crane's approach, what was fresh was his portrayal of the inner thoughts and emotions of the soldier during war. He delved into the psychological aspects of war, exploring the fear, uncertainty, and conflicting emotions that a soldier experiences on the battlefield.
#2. The passage from The Red Badge of Courage that comes closest to giving the reader the feeling of actually experiencing the event is:
"There was a singular absence of heroic poses. The men bent and twisted their heads to listen. The line stood at ease, and the thoughtful skirmishers to the left and the right watched the woods. They seemed to be expecting something that did not come. They strained their ears for any sound that might arise from the trenches. They perspired in suffering from the heated air and from the sting of perspiration that streamed into their eyeballs."
This passage offers a detailed description of the soldiers' physical and mental state, immersing the reader in the battle. In contrast, the letter from Peter Boyer to his father provides a summarized account of the battle without the same level of sensory detail.
#3. From Boyer's account, we learn that "the thickest of the fight" was a chaotic and intense part of the battle where soldiers were heavily engaged in combat. Boyer describes being in the midst of the fighting, indicating that it was a dangerous and intense situation.
#4. From Crane's passage, we learn that Crane's purpose is to convey the vivid and intense imagery of being on the battlefield. The passage describes the confusion and chaos of the battle scene, using vivid language to bring the reader into the midst of the action.
#5. The purpose of the writer's actions during the Chancellorsville battle, as described in The Artillery at Hazel Grove, was to strategically position troops and equipment to gain an advantage in the battle. The writer emphasizes the military strategy employed in the battle.
#6. Crane's purpose is to provide a subjective and intense experience of battle through vivid imagery. He focuses on the individual soldier's perspective and the emotional and psychological impact of war.
#7. Each passage differs in its effect on the reader. The passage from The Red Badge of Courage immerses the reader in the sensory experience of battle, while The Artillery at Hazel Grove provides a more objective and strategic perspective on the events of the battle.
#8. The purpose of Gordon's account is to provide a personal and subjective perspective on the events of the battle. He shares his own experiences and reflections on the misunderstanding and chaos that occurred during the assault on the fort.
#9. Crane's purpose is to convey the subjective experience and inner thoughts of the soldier during the assault. He focuses on the soldier's determination and the intense emotions felt in the heat of battle.
#10. The passages resemble each other in that they both provide personal accounts of soldiers' experiences during a battle. They both convey the chaos and confusion of the events and highlight the determination and bravery of the soldiers.
#11. The differences between the passages are that The Red Badge of Courage focuses more on the internal thoughts and emotions of the soldier, while Sir William Howard Russell's report provides a more factual account of the events and includes dialogue between individuals involved.
#12. (The response to question #12 should be created by the user as it requires personal input and creativity to create a fictional first-person account.)
#13. Yes, it is fair to say that Crane's purpose in The Red Badge of Courage was to communicate a complete picture of one soldier's experience of battle. He accomplishes this by delving into the character's inner thoughts, emotions, and conflicts, as well as portraying the external chaos and confusion of the battlefield. Crane's writing style and vivid imagery immerse the reader in the soldier's experience and provide a comprehensive depiction of war.
1. In order to understand what is fresh in Crane's approach in The Red Badge of Courage, we need to compare it to other books about war and first-hand accounts of battles. The critics agreed that Crane's approach was different and unique.
To answer this question, we need to locate a brief passage from The Red Badge of Courage that describes a battle scene with much confusion and contrast it with a third-person passage from another source. This comparison will help us identify the fresh elements in Crane's approach.
2. To determine which passage from The Red Badge of Courage comes closest to giving the reader the feeling of actually experiencing the event, we need to locate a brief passage that offers a blow-by-blow description of events in a battle. We should then contrast it with another source, such as a letter or a first-hand account, to analyze the ways in which Crane achieves this immersive effect.
3. To learn about "the thickest of the fight" from Boyer, we need to analyze the letter from Peter Boyer to his father, written sometime in May 1863. By examining Boyer's experience and the details he provides, we can gain insights into the intensity and chaos of the battle.
4. To learn what Crane's passage reveals, we need to examine the brief passage from The Red Badge of Courage that offers vivid imagery to describe events in a battle. By contrasting it with The Artillery at Hazel Grove, a description that emphasizes military strategy, we can identify the unique elements and purpose of Crane's writing.
5. To understand the purpose of the writer's actions during the Chancellorsville battle, we need to analyze the passage that describes their actions. By examining their role and motivations, we can gain insights into the writer's intentions and goals.
6. To understand Crane's purpose, we need to analyze his passage from The Red Badge of Courage that offers a vivid description of events in a battle. By contrasting it with other sources, we can identify Crane's unique approach and his intended effect on the reader.
7. To understand how each passage differs in its effect on the reader, we need to analyze the emotional and sensory impact of the passages. By examining the language, tone, and style of each passage, we can identify the differences in how they engage and affect the reader.
8. To determine the purpose of Gordon's account, we need to read and analyze his passage. By examining the specific details and perspectives he provides, we can gain insights into the intentions and goals of his account.
9. To determine Crane's purpose, we need to analyze his account from The Red Badge of Courage. By examining his writing style, themes, and the effects on the reader, we can identify his intended message or purpose.
10. To identify the commonalities between the passages, we need to examine the similarities in their writing styles, approach to narrative, or use of specific techniques. By comparing and contrasting the two passages, we can identify the shared elements between them.
11. To identify the differences between the passages, we need to analyze the variations in their writing styles, narrative techniques, or the perspectives they offer. By examining the specific details and approaches in each passage, we can identify the contrasting elements between them.
12. To create a first-person account in the style of The Red Badge of Courage, we need to employ the basic stylistic characteristics of Crane's writing. This includes using vivid imagery, first-person narration, and focusing on the internal thoughts and emotions of the narrator. Additionally, the account should incorporate a series of relevant and descriptive images to enhance the overall impressionistic style.
13. Yes, it is fair to say that Crane's purpose in The Red Badge of Courage was to communicate a complete picture of one soldier's experience of battle. He accomplishes this by providing a detailed portrayal of the external events of war and the internal thoughts and emotions of the protagonist, Henry. Crane explores the themes of fear, courage, and the psychological impact of war on individuals. Through Crane's storytelling, the reader gains insights into the physical and emotional realities of soldiers in battle.