Question

Prior to this test, you read "There Was Crimson Clash of War" by Stephen Crane. What happens in this poem? What is the theme or central message conveyed by the work? Do you think this work should be categorized as an example of literary realism or naturalism or both? Why or why not? Use examples from the text to support your response.

Answer 1

There was crimson clash of war.

Lands turned black and bare;

Women wept;

Babes ran, wondering.

There came one who understood not these things.

He said, “Why is this?”

Whereupon a million strove to answer him.

There was such intricate clamour of tongues,

That still the reason was not.

In this anti-war poem scared people try to flee from the horrors of war. But they don't know where they are going, also they don't mind it because they want to survive the war. The poem depicts the horrors in a simple and realistic style. Stephen Crane was a prominent author in literary realism and the poem is an example of this genre. The line “Babes ran, wondering.” supports this idea in which the proceeding lines explain it in a realistic manner, without any other implication. There is no reason to war if you are searching one.

Answer 2

Answer:

The anti-war poem There Was Crimson Clash of War depicts panicked and troubled citizens fleeing from the bloodshed of war. They’re unsure of where they’re headed, but their only goal is survival. Being a realistic-horror poem, Stephen Crane opted for a simple structure, setting a prominent example for his style of work throughout literature. The idea at which proceedings are handled realistically can be found in the quote, ”Babes ran, wondering. War is neither reasonable nor justifiable whenever it’s sought after.