Stephen Crane: Effect on Literature

Crane was said to be one of the greatest naturalists of his time. He liked to portray his characters as being placed in situations much larger than them. He would write stories showing his beliefs of the universe as indifferent to the wants and needs of his characters. In "A Man Said to the Universe", Crane's views on the universe are very evident. Crane's work was looked down upon by most readers because it was so naturalistic. Most of his fans were other authors who admired his unique outlook. In this sense, Crane brought something new to literature during the 19th century. He wasn't afraid of what people thought of his writings and this was what made them popular. His ideas about the way the world worked and how it didn't work in favor of just one person were intriguing to many other authors. He is mainly remembered for his American classic, The Red Badge of Courage. This novel has been made into film several times. By the time of Crane's death, he became one of the most popular writers of his generation. It is said that one of the reasons his literature became so popular after his death was because it was so innovative and open minded.