Stephen Crane
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Major Issues Major IssuesAmerican literary historians look back to Stephen Crane as a precursor to two important 20th century trends: naturalism and impressionism. His fiction emphasizes the gritty details of life and shows how environment determines character and destiny. It also focuses, however, on the subjective perception and consciousness of his characters. Critics discuss Crane’s anti-Romantic depiction of nature and its relationship to humanity. Scholars have analyzed Crane’s journalistic eye for acute detail, startling imagery, and understated prose. Crane is also regarded as an important 19th century chronicler of war, both fictional and nonfictional. An important theme is his consideration of the complex necessity of illusions, especially collectively held illusions, to individual and community survival. Author LinksThe
Stephen Crane Society
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