Stephen Crane, página 2 de 11

The fog made the clothes of the men of the column in the roadway seem of a luminous quality. It imparted to the heavy infantry overcoats a new colour, a kind of blue which was so pale that a regiment might have been merely a long, low shadow in the mist. However, a muttering, one part grumble, three parts joke, hovered in the air above the thick ranks, and blended in an undertoned roar, which was the voice of the column.The town on the southern shore of the little river loomed spectrally, a faint etching upon the grey cloud-masses which were shifting with oily languor. A long row of guns upon the northern bank had been pitiless in their hatred, but a little battered belfry could be dimly seen still pointing with invincible resolution toward the heavens.

El libro toma el título de uno de los relatos que componen en esta selección. En Crane lo visionario y lo práctico se combinan en un perfecto dominio de la técnica, como veremos en estos relatos que van desde sus primeros experimentos naturalistas sobre el lujo y la miseria de la ciudad de Nueva York hasta la fábula sobre el repudio de un monstruo en una pequeña ciudad provinciana. Como dijo Joseph Conrad: «Stephen Crane posee los ojos de un ser que no sólo ve visiones, sino que es capaz de cavilar sobre ellas con algún fin». Esta feliz combinación de conciencia útil y talante define perfectamente el espíritu de los relatos unidos en esta colección. Encuadernación: Rústica.

A very little boy stood upon a heap of gravel for the honor of Rum Alley. He was throwing stones at howling urchins from Devils Row who were circling madly about the heap and pelting at him.His infantile countenance was livid with fury. His small body was writhing in the delivery of great, crimson oaths."Run, Jimmie, run! Deyll get yehs," screamed a retreating Rum Alley child."Naw," responded Jimmie with a valiant roar, "dese micks cant make me run."Howls of renewed wrath went up from Devils Row throats. Tattered gamins on the right made a furious assault on the gravel heap. On their small, convulsed faces there shone the grins of true assassins. As they charged, they threw stones and cursed in shrill chorus.

Maggie is one of the most known works of the author. This story, perfectly laid out in New Yorks Bowery, dealt with doings and sayings of the people of the slums,a reflection of the scenes and actions of city life as Crane saw it. While this work made no great impression on the general public, it brought the author to the attention of many literary men, especially William Dean Howells and Hamlin Garland, who encouraged Crane and helped him whenever they could find opportunity.

"Great Battles Of The Great War" is a masterwork of historical battle narratives of the First World War. Stephen Crane published this book for the Daily Chronicle. There are numerous maps added and it offers a perfect understanding of many military actions in the course of the war.Contents:I. The Heroic Defence Of LiegeII. The Occupation Of Brussels.III. The Giant Conflict At MonsIV. The Masterly British Retreat.V. How Retreat Led To VictoryVI. Louvain: The Brand Of ShameVII. The Dramatic Turning PointVIII. Paris Prepares For SiegeIX. The Battle Of The MarneX. The Germans Hurled BackXI. The Battle Of The RiversXII. A Historic Tug-Of-WarXIII. The Fall Of AntwerpXIV. The Fight For The ChannelXV. Britannia Rules The WavesXVI. At Helgoland And ElsewhereXVII. Losses And Gains At SeaXVIII. The Eastern CampaignXIX. The Conquering RussiansXX. The Clash Of Slav And TeutonXXI. Great Events On The Vistula

In "Active Service" Mr. Stephen Crane has applied his literary method, which aptly suits the unusual, to the commonplace. A battleeld stands Mr. Cranes descriptive staccato. A newspaper ofce does not. So far as the reader goes, the result is a story which opens with interest and closes with confused dull talk and incident. Mr. Crane has taken the new Sunday supplement newspaper man, had him fall in love with the daughter of a professor of Greek, put the professor, his family, and a chorus of students in the vortex of the Greek war and let the hero rescue them, with a comic opera singer thrown in to play Potiphars wife to the Sunday supplement mans Joseph. This ought to be interesting to the end, but it is interesting only abont to the middle, the illusion of reality being lost midway. Now Mr. Crane is a realist.

"The Red Badge of Courage" is Stephen Cranes second book and masterpiece, notable for its realism and the fact that Crane had never personally experienced battle. The manuscript was first serialised in December 1894 by The Philadelphia Press and quickly won Crane international acclaim before he died in June 1900 at the age of 28."The Red Badge of Courage" follows a young soldier, Henry Fleming, during a battle in the Civil War. Henry has joined the Union army because of his romantic ideas of military life, but soon finds himself in the middle of a battle against a regiment of Confederate soldiers. Terrified, Henry deserts his comrades. Upon returning to his regiment, he struggles with his shame as he tries to redeem himself and prove his courage.

Twenty-five men were making a road out of a path up the hillside. The light batteries in the rear were impatient to advance, but first must be done all that digging and smoothing which gains no encrusted medals from war. The men worked like gardeners, and a road was growing from the old pack-animal trail.Trees arched from a field of guinea-grass which resembled young wild corn. The day was still and dry. The men working were dressed in the consistent blue of United States regulars. They looked indifferent, almost stolid, despite the heat and the labour. There was little talking. From time to time a Government pack-train, led by a sleek-sided tender bell-mare, came from one way or the other way, and the men stood aside as the strong, hard, black-and-tan animals crowded eagerly after their curious little feminine leader.

LITTLE JIM was, for the time, engine Number 36, and he was making the run between Syracuse and Rochester. He was fourteen minutes behind time, and the throttle was wide open. In consequence, when he swung around the curve at the flower-bed, a wheel of his cart destroyed a peony. Number 36 slowed down at once and looked guiltily at his father, who was mowing the lawn. The doctor had his back to this accident, and he continued to pace slowly to and fro, pushing the mower.Jim dropped the tongue of the cart. He looked at his father and at the broken flower. Finally he went to the peony and tried to stand it on its pins, resuscitated, but the spine of it was hurt, and it would only hang limply from his hand. Jim could do no reparation. He looked again toward his father.

A very little boy stood upon a heap of gravel for the honor of Rum Alley. He was throwing stones at howling urchins from Devils Row who were circling madly about the heap and pelting at him.His infantile countenance was livid with fury. His small body was writhing in the delivery of great, crimson oaths."Run, Jimmie, run! Deyll get yehs," screamed a retreating Rum Alley child."Naw," responded Jimmie with a valiant roar, "dese micks cant make me run."Howls of renewed wrath went up from Devils Row throats. Tattered gamins on the right made a furious assault on the gravel heap. On their small, convulsed faces there shone the grins of true assassins. As they charged, they threw stones and cursed in shrill chorus.The little champion of Rum Alley stumbled precipitately down the other side. His coat had been torn to shreds in a scuffle, and his hat was gone. He had bruises on twenty parts of his body, and blood was dripping from a cut in his head. His wan features wore a look of a tiny, insane demon.On the ground, children from Devils Row closed in on their antagonist. He crooked his left arm defensively about his head and fought with cursing fury. The little boys ran to and fro, dodging, hurling stones and swearing in barbaric trebles.

One of the greatest books about war ever written. Young Henry Fleming had always dreamt of performing heroic deeds in battle. But the reality, as a raw recruit in the American Civil War, is a mental and physical torment. And as Henry fights his inner battles with fear, self-doubt, trauma and vainglory throughout his first harrowing action, he has no idea whether war will make him a coward, a hero - or a man.

El 31 de diciembre de 1896, en el contexto de la guerra hispano-norteamericana por la independencia de Cuba, el remolcador Commodore zarpa del puerto de Jacksonville con dirección a Cienfuegos. Viajan una treintena de hombres con un cargamento de cinco toneladas de armas y municiones para los rebeldes cubanos (rifles, machetes, cartuchos y mas de mil kilos de dinamita).Entre la tripulacion se halla el escritor y periodista Stephen Crane. Tiene 31 años y ha acordado con el capitan Murphy ocultar su identidad enrolado como marinero, ya que viaja a la isla para trabajar como reportero en el que sera su primer contacto con la guerra real.El remolcador se abre paso entre la niebla, tras recorrer dos millas del rio San Juan encalla en el fango y se daña. Reparan el casco, vuelven a la travesia; pero al dia siguiente, a consecuencia de una via de agua en la sala de calderas, el barco se detiene. En la madrugada del 2 de enero abandonan la nave, quenaufragara al amanecer. Crane y otros tres compañeros comparten un minusculo bote, que pasara casi dos dias a merced de las olas frente a las costas de Florida, antes de que puedan intentar alcanzar la orilla a nado.Este momento critico de su vida, Crane lo transforma en una magistral narracion en que recrea la experiencia limite de unos hombres, uno de ellos malherido, que luchan por sobrevivir ante la indiferencia del oceano. Antecedente imprescindible de los relatos de Golding o Garcia Marquez, el autor emplea un pincel impresionista y una sutil ironia, y asi nos ofrece una reflexion profunda sobre las circunstancias que obligan a la amistad entre los hombres, y sobre la soledad del ser humano cuando aparece la muerte como ineludible horizonte.

Stephen Cranes "The Red Badge of Courage & Other Stories of the Civil War" masterfully encapsulates the psychological challenges faced by soldiers during the Civil War. Crane employs a naturalistic and impressionistic literary style, blending vivid imagery with a stream-of-consciousness narrative that vividly portrays the turmoil of warfare. The titular novella delves deep into the mind of Henry Fleming, a young soldier grappling with fear, courage, and the loss of innocence. Accompanied by a selection of short stories, the collection provides a multifaceted exploration of conflict, duty, and the often harsh reality of heroism, situating these themes within the broader discourse of American literature responding to Civil War experiences. Born in 1871 in Newark, New Jersey, Stephen Crane was influenced by the dramatic narratives and human experiences surrounding the Civil War era, despite having never fought in battle himself. His understanding of the wars psychological complexity is marked by his keen observational skills and a deep empathy for human suffering. Cranes experiences as a war correspondent further sharpened his insights into the realities of conflict, allowing him to render a poignant portrayal of soldiers inner lives during this tumultuous period in American history. This collection is indispensable for readers interested in American literature and history, offering a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the Civil War and the existential struggles of those who fought it. Cranes unique voice remains relevant, inviting contemporary readers to confront the timeless themes of bravery, fear, and moral ambiguity. "The Red Badge of Courage" is not merely a war story; it is an exploration of the human condition, compelling readers to reflect on their own notions of courage.

Stephen Crane: Complete Short Stories showcases a remarkable body of work that captures the essence of human experience against the backdrop of the late 19th-century America. Renowned for its vivid imagery and pioneering use of naturalism and impressionism, this collection presents stories that delve into themes of war, survival, and the complexities of human emotion. Cranes masterful prose is marked by its brevity and poignant symbolism, reflecting the existential struggles faced by his characters. Through innovative narrative techniques, he paints a stark portrait of life that transcends time and resonates with readers today. Stephen Crane, an eminent figure in American literature, was profoundly influenced by his own experiences as a war correspondent and the tumult of the Civil War. Born in 1871, Cranes short, yet impactful career was characterized by a deep empathy for the human condition. His explorations of fate, desire, and the inner workings of the human psyche stem from a rich tapestry of historical and personal narratives, all of which are evident in this comprehensive collection of short stories. Cranes understanding of the gritty realities of life informs his poignant storytelling, making his work timeless. Given its rich thematic depth and stylistic innovation, Stephen Crane: Complete Short Stories is essential reading for anyone interested in American literature and the short story form. This collection not only showcases Cranes literary genius but also invites readers to engage with profound existential questions shaped by societys tumultuous landscape. It is a compelling journey into the heart of humanity that should not be missed.

Después de varios intentos disuasorios, la madre de Henry no puede evitar que éste se enrole en el ejército para acudir a la guerra. El muchacho, como a partir de entonces se le denominará, verá transcurrir su adolescencia entre los tiroteos de las batallas mas o menos trascendentes en las que toma parte. Este esqueleto de la trama sirve como punto de partida para ver cual es la transformacion del protagonista, que va a pasar de tener una gran ambicion por participar en la guerra como modo de defensa de la patria, a preguntarse si aquello tenia algun sentido. Al final de la novela, nada, excepto el, habra cambiado. Pero la guerra quedara desmitificada.