Use Of Naturalism example essay topic

The Red Badge of Courage Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage, combines realism and naturalism to depict the deadly confrontation of men in war. The use of these traits uniquely exhibits Crane's talent to express characters, to describe setting, and to create a theme. The use of naturalism is quite dominant, but realism is also present and used to great effect. Realism is a common trait shared by all of the characters.

The figures in this novel are perceived to be believable with average abilities. These characters are neither epic heroes nor robots. They curse, fight, and argue like real humans in the real world. A common technique practiced by all notable writers is the use of dialect. 'Well, yes kin b'live me er not, jest as yes like. I don't care a hang.

' (2). The distinguishing use of speech captures the realistic aspect of a conversation between characters. Another distinctive trait of realism is the disinterest that nature plays in the affairs of the soldiers of war. For example, after escaping the battle, Henry Fleming seeks refuge in the woods.

He notices that the woods seal out the sound of battle and ignores the human conflict taking place: 'It seemed now that nature had no ears' (34). Lastly, the positive outlook is the third characteristic of realism. Henry is overwhelmed with fear and abandons the war. Surprisingly, he escapes unscathed and later learns that his regiment had ended the battle victoriously. Although traits of realism are very evident, naturalism is the dominant technique used by Crane.

Crane used naturalism to show Nature's hostility towards man, to describe the practice of using scientific theory to develop and explain characters and events, and to emphasize Henry's regiment uncontrollable destiny. As Henry and his regiment attempt to pass through the dense foliage, they constantly find themselves caught in the never ending vines of thorns. 'The branches, pushing against him, threatened to throw him over upon it' (35). Henry portrays nature as the enemy of man. Another tenet of naturalistic writing is the application of scientific descriptions to the plot and characters. For example, Henry is called 'an unknown quantity,' as if he were a variable in a scientific experiment.

'For days he made ceaseless calculations, but they were all wondrously unsatisfactory' (9). Crane utilizes Darwin's theory of 'survival of the fittest' to describe Henry's view of war. The most convincing argument supporting the naturalistic approach emphasizes destiny over will. Crane indicated that man's lack of free will was determined for them by heredity or their environment. Henry believes that the huge mass of people makes him powerless as an individual in the regiment.

'As he ran with his comrades he strenuously tried to think, but all he knew was that if he fell down those coming behind would tread upon him. All his faculties seemed to be needed to guide him over and past obstructions. He felt carried along by a mob' (16). The Red Badge of Courage is a naturalistic work with realistic tendencies. The complex characters, disinterest of nature, and a positive outlook represent realism. However, Crane also used the naturalist point of view, by writing about the hostility of nature, scientific descriptions, and man's uncontrollable destiny.

The use of both naturalism and realism show Crane's unique talent as a perspective author.