Introduction
The Red Badge of Courage is Stephen Crane’s novel about war, which introduces readers to the harshness of his perspective on reality and a sober assessment of the military theme. Crane portrays the soulless mechanism of war, where personality plays no role and everything is random. This is American realism, reflecting the harsh truth. The Red Badge of Courage is a war novel whose fundamental premise echoes American Realism and ideas about the destructive nature of war.
American Realism and the Development of Criticism in 1860–1890
American realism is an art style depicting social realities and everyday activities. It held special significance in literature, painting, graphics, music, and other forms of art. Realism in American Literature, 1860-1890, notes that American realism spans the Civil War period to the turn of the century, with notable representatives including Mark Twain, Rebecca Harding Davis, Henry James, William Dean Howells, and others.
American realism is often confused with naturalism, which views people as victims of social and natural forces (Cart 27). However, unlike naturalism, this style accurately portrays American life in the context of the rapid growth of democracy, literacy, industrialization, urbanization, and citizen welfare after the domestic conflicts lasted from 1861 to 1865 (Realism in American Literature, 1860-1890). American realism shaped the development of modern American art and creativity by drawing attention to everyday realities and life’s problems.
Cardinal transformations in the spheres of social life characterized the historical development of criticism in the 1860s-1890s. In particular, literary work during this period raised critical societal issues such as social, gender, and racial inequality, discrimination against blacks, Native Americans, and women, the expansion of monopoly, the exploitation of workers, corruption, and many others. For instance, the themes of inequality between black and white workers (enslaved people) and enslavers (those who enslaved them) can be found in Mark Twain’s works, such as Pudd’nhead Wilson and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Notably, as in the works of Mark Twain, as in the tradition of American realism, goodwill triumphs sooner or later because man has the strength to become free and end injustice (Cart 26). Generally, criticism during the designated time in the U.S. actively discussed society’s problems, and many of these issues have remained significant and relevant.
Comparing Ideas from the Novel to Luke’s Speech in Coming Home
The main idea of Luke’s speech is that war is a terrifying, harsh, and destructive reality that is physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. A person suffers during the war, experiencing pain, fear, frustration, and inner turmoil. In addition, the speaker says: “Now I’m here to tell you that I have killed for my country, whatever, and I don’t feel good about it” (Mike Ashworth 2:35). Thus, the war is a reality that is draining both the body and the mind when soldiers see their comrades die and when they are barely alive.
Luke’s speech and The Red Badge of Courage primarily draw attention to the realistic portrayal of war and its devastation to peaceful life. Similarly, Luke and Crane express disappointment in national ideals, as fighting on the battlefield is not considered a true act of patriotism or a heroic deed to be eulogized back home. The American reality can be expressed through the example of the Vietnam War and its aftermath, devastating to the country and its soldiers.
Luke tells the audience: “You grow up really quick because all you’re seeing is a lot of death” (Mike Ashworth 0:30). One learns instantly, realizing that, in reality, war is not as spectacular and beautiful as it is shown in Hollywood films. Disappointment comes not only during the war but also after it because even if a man can survive the war, he will carry all the heavy burden of the experience, and ordinary and measured life will seem even more severe than the war.
Analysis Essential Novel Passages Through the Lens of American Realism
The first passage refers to chapters XVI-XVII when Henry, the main hero, begins to gradually realize that the reality of war does not match the expectations and representations of his romantic dreams of heroism, courage, glory, and bravery. Henry says: “By this struggle, he had overcome obstacles which he had admitted to be mountains. They had fallen like paper peaks, and he was now what he called a hero. And he had not been aware of the process” (Crane 118). Although this passage does not directly address the novel’s main ideas, it marks a significant turning point that profoundly affects Henry’s thoughts, emotions, and feelings, compelling him for a moment to shed his narcissism, overconfidence, and self-deception.
The second passage concerns another vital character, Henry’s mother. For example, in Chapter I, she once says to her son: “just one little feller amongst a hull lot of others” (Crane 13). This passage suggests that Henry is remarkably insignificant in the universe. He is obsessed with becoming a hero, receiving lavish rewards, and having a noble name. The reality is that his participation in the war will not yield the expected results, and at best, he will return alive and well, both physically and mentally. These passages give readers a real insight into the frustration that often accompanies participation in war.
Conclusion
In conclusion, American realism is a style of art that reflects the actual picture of reality. The Red Badge of Courage is one of the essential literary works of American realism. The novel’s ideas emphasize the destructive and catastrophic nature of war and its consequences. These views are expressed in the book and the film, in which the main character, Luke, states that perceptions of war differ from reality because, upon returning home, a person will never be the same as before.
Works Cited
Cart, Michael. Young Adult Literature, Fourth Edition: From Romance to Realism. American Library Association, 2022.
Crane, Stephen. The Red Badge of Courage. Penguin Popular Classics, 1994.
“Vietnam Film. Coming Home. 1978 Lukes Speech (Jon Voight).” YouTube, uploaded by Mike Ashworth, 2013. Web.
“Realism in American Literature, 1860-1890.” Donna M. Campbell. Web.