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Stephen Crane's Ironic Vision, Michael J. O'Bryant

Dissertations and Theses

Stephen crane's major irony in his art is produced by contrasting his characters' illusions with reality. In Maggie that reality is an environmental indifference that is very much like the deterministic environment of the Naturalistic Novelists. Maggie's perceptions and expectations contrast with this reality, seeming very ironic. In The Red Badge of Courage, "The Open Boat," and "The Blue Hotel,” each character's illusion is contrasted with a reality that is absolutely indifferent. It is in these works (as well as in his letters and poetry) that Crane affirms man's need to embrace those illusions which enable him to face reality. …