The American Short The American Short StoryStory

““The Blue Hotel”The Blue Hotel”

By: Stephen CraneBy: Stephen Crane

Stephen Crane (1871-1900)Stephen Crane (1871-1900) American journalist, poet, and author American journalist, poet, and author He wrote: He wrote:

Maggie, a Girl of the Streets: a Story of New YorkMaggie, a Girl of the Streets: a Story of New York (1893) (1893)

The Red Badge of Courage: an episode of the The Red Badge of Courage: an episode of the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War (1895) (1895)

"The Black Riders and Other Lines" (1895), "The Little "The Black Riders and Other Lines" (1895), "The Little Regiment" (1896), "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky" Regiment" (1896), "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky" (1897), (1897), The Third VioletThe Third Violet (1897), (1897), "The Blue Hotel""The Blue Hotel" (1898),(1898), "War Is Kind" (1899), "War Is Kind" (1899), The Monster and Other The Monster and Other StoriesStories (1899), (1899), Active ServiceActive Service (1899), and "The Open (1899), and "The Open Boat" (1898)Boat" (1898)

At the age of 28, Stephen Crane died on June At the age of 28, Stephen Crane died on June 5, 1900.5, 1900.

Literary NaturalismLiterary Naturalism

4 Main characteristics4 Main characteristics::1.1. PessimismPessimism (Main characteristic): a character tends to repeat a (Main characteristic): a character tends to repeat a

phrase having a pessimistic outlook, which sometimes emphasizes phrase having a pessimistic outlook, which sometimes emphasizes the inevitability and quality of death. the inevitability and quality of death.

2.2. Detachment of the narratorDetachment of the narrator (Objective tone): Story often introduces (Objective tone): Story often introduces nameless characters and focuses mainly on the plot and setting nameless characters and focuses mainly on the plot and setting rather than focusing on the characters’ emotions. rather than focusing on the characters’ emotions.

3.3. DeterminismDeterminism: Story focuses on fate or nature and is the opposite of : Story focuses on fate or nature and is the opposite of the belief of free will. The fate of the character has already been the belief of free will. The fate of the character has already been predetermined by certain factors, most often environmental factors, predetermined by certain factors, most often environmental factors, and he can do nothing to change it. and he can do nothing to change it.

4.4. Surprising Plot TwistSurprising Plot Twist: Natural forces create a surprising situation for : Natural forces create a surprising situation for a character, which he is unable to escape. (Futility of struggle) a character, which he is unable to escape. (Futility of struggle)

In general, there is a strong sense in the naturalist stories and In general, there is a strong sense in the naturalist stories and novels that nature is not affected by human struggle.novels that nature is not affected by human struggle.

““A Man said to the Universe”A Man said to the Universe”By: Stephen CraneBy: Stephen Crane

A man said to the universe: A man said to the universe:

"Sir I exist!" "Sir I exist!"

"However," replied the universe, "However," replied the universe,

"The fact has not created in me"The fact has not created in me

A sense of obligation."A sense of obligation."

How does this apply the principles of How does this apply the principles of Naturalism?Naturalism?

Review QuestionsReview Questions

1.1. Which three men does Pat Scully entice from Which three men does Pat Scully entice from the train station to stay in the blue hotel?the train station to stay in the blue hotel?

2.2. What does Pat Scully pull from beneath his What does Pat Scully pull from beneath his bed to entice the Swede to remain at the blue bed to entice the Swede to remain at the blue hotel? hotel?

3.3. Who kills the Swede? Who kills the Swede? 4.4. What is the setting of the story? Be specific What is the setting of the story? Be specific

with the environment and what state. with the environment and what state. 5.5. Which character tells us that he feels regret for Which character tells us that he feels regret for

the Swede’s death at the end of the story?the Swede’s death at the end of the story?

NaturalismNaturalism

The term The term naturalismnaturalism describes a type of describes a type of literature that attempts to apply scientific literature that attempts to apply scientific principles of objectivity and detachment to principles of objectivity and detachment to its study of human beings. its study of human beings. Unlike realism, which focuses on literary Unlike realism, which focuses on literary

technique, naturalism implies a philosophical technique, naturalism implies a philosophical position: position: • For naturalistic writers, since human beings are, in For naturalistic writers, since human beings are, in

Emile Zola's phrase, "human beasts," characters Emile Zola's phrase, "human beasts," characters can be studied through their relationships to their can be studied through their relationships to their surroundings. surroundings.

Literary Naturalism

A literary movement which flourished in America from1890 to 1910.

A literary movement began in 19th century France. A literary movement portraying humans as powerless or

helpless victims of natural and social forces. Famous American Naturalist Authors:

Stephen Crane Jack London Theodore Dreiser Frank Norris

““The Blue Hotel”The Blue Hotel”

Themes:Themes: Naturalism Naturalism

• Control by natureControl by nature• Control by social environment (Community) Control by social environment (Community) • Control by chemicals and our own bodiesControl by chemicals and our own bodies• Control by inner natureControl by inner nature

Does Man have “ANY” control over their destiny?Does Man have “ANY” control over their destiny?

Discrimination/ stereotypesDiscrimination/ stereotypes

““A Man said to the Universe”A Man said to the Universe”By: Stephen CraneBy: Stephen Crane

A man said to the universe: A man said to the universe:

"Sir I exist!" "Sir I exist!"

"However," replied the universe, "However," replied the universe,

"The fact has not created in me"The fact has not created in me

A sense of obligation."A sense of obligation."

How does this apply to “The Blue How does this apply to “The Blue Hotel”?Hotel”?

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

What role does the setting or nature play What role does the setting or nature play in the story?in the story?

"We picture the world as thick with conquering and elate "We picture the world as thick with conquering and elate humanity, but here, with the bugles of the tempest pealing, it humanity, but here, with the bugles of the tempest pealing, it was hard to imagine a peopled earth. One viewed the existence was hard to imagine a peopled earth. One viewed the existence of man then as a marvel, and conceded a glamour of wonder to of man then as a marvel, and conceded a glamour of wonder to these these licelice which were caused which were caused to cling to a whirling, fire-to cling to a whirling, fire-

smitten, ice-locked, disease-stricken, space-lost bulbsmitten, ice-locked, disease-stricken, space-lost bulb” (58).” (58). Are the characters well-developed? Are Are the characters well-developed? Are

they more like types? Explain your they more like types? Explain your response.response.

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

What does Crane imply when he writes:What does Crane imply when he writes: ““There was a great tumult, and then was seen a long There was a great tumult, and then was seen a long

blade in the hand of the gambler. It shot forward, and blade in the hand of the gambler. It shot forward, and a human body, this citadel of virtue, wisdom, power, a human body, this citadel of virtue, wisdom, power, was pierced as easily as if it had been a melon. The was pierced as easily as if it had been a melon. The Swede fell with a cry of supreme astonishment” (62).Swede fell with a cry of supreme astonishment” (62).

How might one interpret the ending of the story?How might one interpret the ending of the story? ““We are all in it! This poor gambler isn’t even a noun. We are all in it! This poor gambler isn’t even a noun.

He is kind of an adverb. Every sin is the result of He is kind of an adverb. Every sin is the result of collaboration” (64).collaboration” (64).

DebateDebate

Group 1Group 1: How might the ending be seen as : How might the ending be seen as in direct contrast to naturalism? in direct contrast to naturalism?

Group 2Group 2: How might one argue that the : How might one argue that the ending still maintains the characteristics of ending still maintains the characteristics of literary naturalism?literary naturalism?