Understanding The Red Badge of Courage: A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historical Documents

Every generation of readers has interpreted the meaning of The Red Badge of Courage anew. Its appeal is both historical and universal—historical in its Civil War setting and universal in its relating of the experiences of a young man who is thrust into a situation he does not understand and cannot cope with. This collection of historical documents, collateral readings, and commentary will promote interdisciplinary study of the novel and enrich the reader's understanding of its themes and historical context. A wide variety of more than 40 primary documents and firsthand accounts brings to life the Civil War experiences of leaders and soldiers of the Union and Confederacy, especially in the Battle of Chancellorsville, which is the setting for the novel. Carefully selected memoirs, poems, short stories, newspaper articles, and interviews illuminate the historical setting, the themes of cowardice and desertion, battlefield experiences, the soldier's life in camp, and the issue of pacifism as it relates to The Red Badge of Courage as an antiwar novel.

Many of these documents appear in print here for the first time. The documents include: memoirs of Civil War generals at Chancellorsville who were in marked disagreement with one another, remembrances of cavalry and foot soldiers, poems by those who experienced the war, short stories by Civil War veterans, a series of newspaper articles on World War II veterans who experienced Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, The War Prayer by Mark Twain and The Wound Dresser by Walt Whitman, poems and a short story by Stephen Crane, and an interview with a conscientious objector in World War II. Each section of this casebook contains study questions, topics for research papers and class discussions, and lists of further reading. A selection of photos and a map complete the work. This is an ideal companion for teacher use and student research in interdisciplinary, English, and American history courses.

An ideal student companion to understanding the novel, with more than 40 primary documents that illuminate its historical context and thematic issues.

VOYA

Wow! Where were these books when I was in high school? Better yet, where were these books last year when my reading group read The Red Badge of Courage? Greenwood subtitles its latest entry in the Literature in Context series as a student casebook to issues, sources, and historical documents for Stephen Crane's classic. What follows is a solid literary analysis of the novel, along with a chapter-by-chapter breakdown of the major elements of the novel's plot. Detailed information on the novel's setting within the Civil War, along with photos, is provided. The concept of desertion and cowardice as an issue in the novel is presented, and details of everyday life in the war camp and battlefield are also included. Finally, there is discussion of the story as an antiwar novel. All these important factors are explained for the readers. There is no tease, for example, indicating the symbolism of the book; instead, how the symbolism, setting, and plot work within the novel is clearly explained. In addition each section ends with a list of topics for oral and written presentations. This is a complete study guide that will be well used by teachers, students, and book group leaders. A notes section lists the primary sources for the text and also suggestions for further reading.

Similarly, Greenhaven Press's title from their Literary Companion series offers in-depth analysis and criticism of the elements of Crane's major works including The Red Badge of Courage, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, and The Open Boat. The criticism allows readers to see the works from different perspectives and also highlights particular themes, such as Crane's view of women. A section on Crane's poetry is also included. An introduction and chronology summarize Crane's life and writing career, and the notes offer suggestions for more reading. Both books are excellent additions to all secondary school and public library collections. Any reader needing to analyze and understand Stephen Crane's works wo

CLAUDIA DURST JOHNSON is Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Alabama, where she chaired the Department of English for 12 years.