Stephen Crane - Kevin J. Hayes

Stephen Crane provides a general overview of all of Stephen Crane's major works, and many of his minor ones. It seeks to understand the many literary genres in which Crane wrote: newspaper journalism, novels, poetry, sketch and short story. After a brief biographical introduction, the chapters are organised in a chronological fashion and trace Crane's development as a writer from the early newspaper contributions to Maggie, his first novel, and The Black Riders, his first collection of verse. Subsequent chapters consider the work that arguably shaped Crane's reputation - The Third Violet and The Red Badge of Courage and his short stories. The Red Badge of Courage was recognised by many as the finest war novel in English, and Crane subsequently devoted much effort to writing more about the war. Another chapter treats his war correspondence, and the conclusion returns to the subject of war to examine how wars have helped to shape Crane's popular and critical reception.