Stephen Crane, an avant-garde writer of his time, compelled his readers to delve deeper into his written words in search of a more emphasized and profound moral in the majority of his tales. In most of his work, Crane adheres strictly to a predetermined structure. His narratives typically explore the physical, emotional, and intellectual reactions of ordinary individuals faced with extraordinary and extreme circumstances. While his writing frequently tackles prevailing subjects such as the flaws of humanity and the harsh realities of life, they all seem to intersect ultimately in the realm of heroism. Crane, who held a fervent fascination with the concept of heroism, embellished each story he penned with a sense of optimism. Readers are left with the impression that possessing super-human abilities does not require one to be inherently super-human; it is possible to be a hero regardless.
Crane’s A Mystery Of Heroism delves into the search for the meaning of heroism. The protagonist, Fred Collins, is a humble soldier in the Civil War who feels out of place. Despite his reservations and the dangers involved, Collins decides to venture across a battlefield to quench his thirst. Surprisingly, he successfully reaches the well and momentarily considers himself a hero. However, Collins questions what truly defines a hero. Is it simply risking your life in pursuit of a drink? Collins reflects upon his own actions and concludes that he is not deserving of the title. He recalls borrowing money from a friend and avoiding repayment for ten months. Additionally, he acknowledges his own faults and how his behavior caused strain on his relationship with his late mother.
On his return to his regiment, Collins encounters a dying man in need of a drink. In an act of kindness, Fred allows the wounded soldier to drink from his bucket as he passes by. This scene, although brief, serves to highlight the moral and emphasize Crane’s goal in the narrative. Despite his flaws, Collins reveals the enigma of heroism. He is not a hero because he labels himself as one or because he defies death’s satisfaction. He is a hero because he does a good deed without seeking recognition. Unbeknownst to him, he becomes a hero in the eyes of the wounded soldier for that one moment. Crane also demonstrates that heroism operates in mysterious ways.
Crane’s short story, The Bride Comes To Yellow Sky, features Jack Potter as the protagonist who must prove his bravery as the sheriff of his town. Initially depicted as a quiet and unassuming individual, Jack is traveling with his new wife to Yellow Sky, Texas. Crane purposely withholds Jack’s true identity from the reader at the beginning of the story for a shocking effect. Discovering that this reserved man is actually a fearless sheriff during the day is surprising given his behavior during the trip. He continually looks down at his outfit, sits with his hands on his knees like someone waiting in a barbershop, and glances at other passengers secretly and timidly.
As the train nears Yellow Sky, Jack ponders the welcome he will receive upon his return. Worried about how the community will react, he sulks. As the town marshal of Yellow Sky, Jack is well-known and both liked and feared by the locals. However, he went to San Antonio without consulting Yellow Sky to meet a girl he believed he was in love with. After some prayers, he managed to convince her to marry him. This decision didn’t sit well with his friends who couldn’t forgive him. Jack is portrayed as a coward without heroism. Yet towards the end of the story, he faces Scratchy, his arch nemesis. In a classic Old West showdown, Jack finds himself unarmed while Scratchy points his revolver at him. Instead of fighting back under any circumstance, Jack chooses to confront Scratchy by admitting his defenselessness. Crane skillfully builds up this anticipated confrontation between an unlikely hero and a skilled gunslinger. This once again shows that external strength does not define heroism for men like Jack Potter.
Crane demonstrates that instead of violence or fleeing, Jack Potter uses words to save himself—highlighting what makes him heroic.The story concludes with an uplifting message that true heroism comes from inner virtue rather than physical power.
The Open Boat by Stephen Crane is a renowned tale that portrays the heroic journey of four men stranded on a lifeboat in the ocean. Similar to Crane’s previous works, the characters in this story are ordinary working-class men. Crane purposely avoids naming most of his crew to highlight their plainness. The narrative follows the experiences of the oiler, the cook, the correspondent, and the captain from the sunken ship. It intrigues readers with its depiction of crashing waves, menacing sharks, and the arduous hardships endured by the four men. Despite facing numerous brushes with death, the castaways persevere through hunger and mental strain on their quest for land. Crane’s naturalistic writing style vividly depicts their struggle against nature’s relentless assaults as the sea carelessly tosses their boat.
Despite facing numerous hardships, these individuals display courage and heroism. This is evident in their persistent chant aimed at boosting morale: “If I am going to be drowned – if I am going to be drowned – if I am going to be drowned, why, in the name of the seven mad gods, who rule the sea, was I allowed to come thus far and contemplate sand and trees?” Crane’s point is once again acknowledged. When the ship sinks, four ordinary individuals who are not considered heroes are saved. However, when ordinary people are tasked with extraordinary challenges, heroes emerge.
Stephen Crane, a renowned author, aimed to inspire individuals to uncover their inner heroism through his stories. According to Crane, heroism is not confined to a particular stereotype but manifests in diverse ways within all of us. He maintained that anyone, regardless of their situation, can exhibit extraordinary strength, triumph in battles, defy death, and be hailed as a hero. Ultimately, the emergence of heroism often comes as an unexpected revelation.
English Essays
