A Mystery of Heroism

Crane juxtaposes two scenes early in his story: the violent wounding of the bugler, who is described as if trapped in midair, as his horse is in the middle of “a great convulsive leap of a death wound” (Paragraph 3). This scene is side by side with a “fair little meadow which spread at their feet. Its long green grass was rippling gently in a breeze. Beyond it was the gray form of a house half torn to pieces by shells” (Paragraph 4). What is the effect of pairing a scene of such overwhelming violence next to a scene of both nature and domesticity?

The first half of the story is presented as a series of impressionistic scenes as the infantry soldiers stare at the sights that surround them. Crane’s literary style is highly metaphorical when describing these battle scenes. Yet Crane chooses not have the soldiers reflect on these scenes. Why does Crane hold back the soldiers’ thoughts on the devastation that surrounds them? What is the effect of such reticence?

The horses are described as “passive and dumb spectators” that must follow instructions, even when those instructions lead to “relentless and hideous carnage” (Paragraph 14).