Crane, Bronte and the Salem-Trials
Representation of War in Stephen Cranes Prose
Violence & Bloodshed:
- The Red Badge of Courage (1895) is Crane most violent and gruesome account of fighting
- The colour of War is “red”, representing Fire and Death (through the “red badges”)
- Crane has not seen war himself but his novel is praised as being very realistic
- Witnessing the brutality of war changes the character of soldiers (e.g. the “loud soldier” and Henry Fleming)
The War within
- The struggle for the “laurels” of war is a war itself, fought inside Henry Fleming
- He has to be “pushed” into the fight: His fear is overcome by a knock on the head
- After the “action” is over, his courage changes again into a contemplative manner
- In The Veteran, published a year later, emphasis changes: Henry Fleming is a war hero but he dies while trying to save his pistols – courage can kill, as well.
The Target-Theme:
- The Red Badge of Courage, The Veteran, Marines Signalling Under Fire at Guantanamo (1899) , An Epsisode of War (1899) and The Sergeants Private Madhouse (1899) have one thing in common: the predominance of the “Target-Theme”.
- In all these stories, soldiers are in the first place represented as targets, not as killers
- What is right and what is wrong: in The Veteran, Henry Fleming tells how he thought about convincing the enemy that he was a “good feller” – were his opponents not “good” as well? (shooting at a mass)
Stories before and after being war-correspondent
- War is not been described in a more brutal fashion after Crane has been to war himself
- Later stories appear to be more subtle in pointing out new learned details of battle
An Account of the Salem Witchcraft Trials
How bored children and teenagers can kill 24 people
- Young girls accused women (and later also men) as being witches
- Situation of Salem: Frontier war and Struggle of two clans (Putnam and Porter) paved the way for the accusers to be “successful”
- Publication of Memorable Providence has Christians on alert
- Persecutors were willing and able: William Stoughton, Cotton Mather and John Putnam were the chief “witch-hunters”
- The hanging of George Burroughs might be a key to understanding the massive killing
- Christian morality: Only years after the trials, some accusers and persecutors express their sorrow
- Like in a children’s play: Terms like “spectral evidence”, “Touching Test” and “Witch Marks” appear ridiculous, today.
The role of Tituba
- she is the first to be accused in Salem
- Historians argue that her confession and turning in on two other “witches” helped the trials’ speed to increase
- She was accused and arrested in February 1692 and released about a year later
Salem was “poisoned”
- Nathaniel Hawthorne gives an account of his feeling of shame in Young Goodman Brown (1846)
- Hawthorne is descendent of John Hathorne, a judge in the Salem Trials.
- The story shows how disappointed trust in the good nature of family and respected people can cause damage to ones “faith”
- The story has Salem appear “poisoned”, the devil laughs even at the minister
- In The Crucible (1952), Arthur Miller uses the Salem-Topic to reflect upon a modern “poisoning” of society, the persecution of supposed communist sympathizers
Representation of Male Figures in Bronte-Novels
Mr. Rochester:
- Appears like a ruffian at first, changes to a man capable of true affection later
- In that change, he is about to damage Jane by luring her into an unlawful marriage
- Critics see this as a “Byronic” characteristic
- I see him as a “Miltonic” figure: In the last section of Jan Eyre, Rochester resembles Milton’s Samson in many ways: he is blinded, imprisoned and alone and has lost his strength.
- Jane is the counterpart to the friends and relatives who try to cheer him up
- Rochester, like Samson, finds his strength coming back but on a spiritual level
Heathcliff:
- The most famous of the Bronte-characters has the most obscure background
- He has no origin, appears like a gypsy (dark complexion, dirty, talking “gibberish”)
- His “birth” (Old Earnshaw produces him from his coat like a new-born) brings trouble to the Heights and Thrushcross Grange
- Critics also see him as a “Byronic” figure for his being an outsider and destroying what he loves (he hastens Catherines Death by arousing her)
- He can also be seen as a “Miltonic” figure: He resembles Satan in Paradise Lost: He is violent and of evil nature but also very passionate which leads to his moaning. He considers the world without Catherine as an “abyss”.
- He enacts his revenge in a “satanic” was as well: He seduces Isabella to marry him, he lets Hindley ruin himself and finally even tries to poison his own son (Linton).
Odd couples: St. John Rivers / Mr. Brocklehurst and Edgar Linton/Jacob
- St. John represents the Upper Class missionary of his period
- He enacts the Christian belief the way the bible is proclaiming it: He is mild in temper and thinks of nothing but his work for God.
- Mr. Brocklehurst is the typical hypocrite who has the air of being a very good person who provides children the opportunity to learn “humility” and “self-sacrifice”
- In reality he is a cruel person who lets children starve so that their “souls be nourished” and has Jan punished severely
- Edgar Linton, though in no way a minister, seems to resemble St. John in his mild temper (towards the disturbances by Heathcliff) and devotion to Catherine. Catherine takes the place of religion, which is even greater to St. John than his affection for Jane.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main themes explored in the analysis of Stephen Crane's prose?
The analysis focuses on the representation of war in Crane's work, particularly violence and bloodshed, and the concept of "the war within" an individual. It also examines the "Target-Theme" where soldiers are portrayed primarily as targets, raising questions about the morality of war.
How does Crane depict violence and bloodshed in his stories?
Crane's The Red Badge of Courage is highlighted as a violent and gruesome depiction of war. The color red symbolizes fire and death. The analysis also notes how witnessing the brutality of war affects the characters and how the struggle for recognition is an internal battle for characters. The contrast is made with "The Veteran" where courage can kill.
What is the significance of the "Target-Theme" in Crane's stories?
The "Target-Theme" suggests a perspective where soldiers are seen primarily as targets, rather than aggressors. The analysis points to stories like The Red Badge of Courage, The Veteran, Marines Signalling Under Fire at Guantanamo, An Episode of War, and The Sergeant's Private Madhouse as examples. It also explores the moral ambiguity of targeting enemy soldiers.
What are the key elements of the analysis of the Salem Witchcraft Trials?
The analysis explores the factors that contributed to the trials, including bored children making accusations and the situation in Salem being ripe for success in the accusations. It also identifies key figures like William Stoughton, Cotton Mather, and John Putnam as "witch-hunters." The children's play aspects are touched upon and there is regret that happened.
What role did Tituba play in the Salem Witchcraft Trials?
Tituba is identified as the first person accused in Salem. Her confession and subsequent naming of other "witches" is believed to have accelerated the trials.
How did Nathaniel Hawthorne and Arthur Miller reflect on the Salem Witchcraft Trials in their works?
Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown portrays Salem as "poisoned" and reflects the author's shame related to his ancestor, a judge in the trials. Miller's The Crucible uses the Salem trials as an allegory for the McCarthy era and the persecution of alleged communist sympathizers.
How are male figures represented in Bronte novels, specifically Mr. Rochester?
Mr. Rochester is portrayed as a complex character who initially appears rough but later shows true affection. The analysis compares him to both a "Byronic" hero and a "Miltonic" figure, drawing parallels to Samson in his blindness, imprisonment, and eventual spiritual recovery in *Jane Eyre*.
How is Heathcliff characterized in Wuthering Heights?
Heathcliff is depicted as a mysterious and outsider figure with a dark complexion and obscure origins. The analysis considers him both a "Byronic" figure and a "Miltonic" figure, comparing him to Satan in Paradise Lost due to his violent nature, passionate emotions, and vengeful actions.
What are the contrasting characterizations of St. John Rivers, Mr. Brocklehurst, and Edgar Linton?
St. John Rivers represents the typical upper-class missionary, while Mr. Brocklehurst is portrayed as a hypocritical religious figure. Edgar Linton is characterized by his mild temper and devotion to Catherine, similar to St. John's devotion to his religious work. Jacob is added to the hypocritical figures who pretends to be a "good Christian".
- Quote paper
- Guido Scholl (Author), 2005, Crane, Bronte and the Salem-Trials, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/109633