Skip to main content

In "An Episode of War" by Stephen Crane, what treatment does the doctor ultimately administer to the lieutenant's wounded arm?

The lieutenant ultimately has his arm amputated.


As in so many of Stephen Crane's works, the Naturalistic theme is strong in "An Episode of War" as the soldiers are depicted as just so many creatures manipulated by indifferent universal forces. In particular, the lieutenant who so precisely divides the coffee with his sword, a symbol of the authority that he believes he wields, catches a wild bullet in his arm, and with this random act...

The lieutenant ultimately has his arm amputated.


As in so many of Stephen Crane's works, the Naturalistic theme is strong in "An Episode of War" as the soldiers are depicted as just so many creatures manipulated by indifferent universal forces. In particular, the lieutenant who so precisely divides the coffee with his sword, a symbol of the authority that he believes he wields, catches a wild bullet in his arm, and with this random act his illusion of authority is ended.  His arm, then, becomes symbolic of his loss of authority, as he must hold his sword with his left hand, but is unable to replace it in its sheath without the aid of another soldier.


The lieutenant must now leave the battlefield and head to the low white tents of the field hospital. As he walks to the rear of the field,



[H]e wore the look of one who knows he is the victim of a terrible disease and understands his helplessness.



The illusion that he was in control of action and choice is now removed from him.


When he returns home with an empty sleeve in his coat, and his mother and sisters "sob[bed] for a long time at the sight," he stammers, "I don't suppose it matters so much as all that." For, he has come to understand that he is just one of many unremarkable creatures against the deterministic forces of life; his missing arm is but a reminder of this impotence as such a creature. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...