An Episode of War

An Episode of War

​Literary Analysis: Realism and Naturalism

Realism is a type of literature that tries to show people and their lives as realistically as possible. Authors who write material within this literary movement focus on ordinary people rather than on exaggerated models of idealistic behavior. Often such writers emphasize the harsh realities of ordinary daily life, even though their characters are fictional.

​Literary Analysis: Realism and Naturalism

Naturalism expands on the base begun by realism. Writers who create naturalistic literature follow the traits of realism, but they add the ideas that people and their lives are often deeply affected by natural forces such as heredity, environment, or even chance. People cannot control such forces, yet they must carry on the best way they can.

​Literary Analysis: Realism and Naturalism

The main difference between the two movements is that naturalism emphasizes the lack of control its realistic characters have over the changes taking place in their lives. The influence of

both literary movements can often be seen in the same piece of literature, such as “An Episode of War” by Stephen Crane.

Multiple Choice

He was on the verge of a great triumph in mathematics, and the corporals were thronging

forward, each to reap a little square [of coffee], when suddenly the lieutenant cried out and

looked quickly at a man near him as if he suspected it was a case of personal assault. The

others cried out also when they saw blood upon the lieutenant’s sleeve.

• Realism

• Naturalism

• Both

Multiple Choice

When he reached home, his sisters, his mother, his wife, sobbed for a long time at the sight

of the flat sleeve. “Oh, well,” he said, standing shamefaced amid these tears. “I don’t sup-

pose it matters so much as all that.”

• Realism

• Naturalism

• Both

​Reading Strategy: Clarify Historical Details

Your knowledge of the historical time period of a selection can help you make the most of a reading experience. Consider the historical, social, and political climate surrounding a piece of writing as part of its setting and context. For example, in “An Episode of War,” the author writes, “His lips pursed as he drew with his sword various crevices in the heap. . . .” The detail about the sword helps you realize that the story did not happen recently—it happened in a time when swords were weapons of war.

Multiple Choice

What is the setting of “An Episode of War,” based on the use of horses?

• the First World War

• the Second World War

• the Vietnam War

• the Civil War

Multiple Choice

In “An Episode of War,” which element shows that soldiers become friends during wartime?

• how the lieutenant makes coffee

• how the men treat the wounded lieutenant

• how the doctors talk to the soldiers

• how the hospital is set up

Multiple Choice

Which element of “An Episode of War” helps identify the historical setting of the story?

• the division of men into military ranks

• the fear of the lieutenant over his wound

• the grief of the lieutenant’s family

• the use of swords as a weapon of war

Multiple Choice

Which of these statements describes why “An Episode of War” is a naturalistic story?

• The events take place outdoors.

• The characters cannot control events.

• The events romanticize war.

• The characters act as symbols for ideas.

Multiple Choice

In “An Episode of War,” which historical description helps you predict what will happen to the lieutenant’s arm?

• the description of the camp layout

• the description of the medical facilities

• the description of the battle

• the description of the cavalry

Multiple Choice

Which element of “An Episode of War” shows it to be an example of naturalism?

• It is set in the Civil War.

• It shows lives controlled by outside forces.

• It shows people who control their lives.

• It uses formal language.

Multiple Choice

Why does the lieutenant stare at the wood after he has been wounded?

• The enemy that shot him is hiding in the wood.

• The wood make him think of home.

• He knows he will be safe if he can reach the wood.

• The hospital is located in the wood.

Multiple Choice

How does the doctor’s attitude toward the lieutenant change when he notices that the lieutenant is wounded?

• He becomes more considerate.

• He becomes respectful.

• He becomes disdainful.

• He becomes professional.

Multiple Choice

What serves as a hospital in “An Episode of War”?

• an old horse barn

• a group of ambulances

• an old schoolhouse

• a former jailhouse

Multiple Choice

In “An Episode of War,” what happens before the lieutenant is reunited with his family?

• He has been wounded several more times.

• He has deserted the army and made his way home.

• He has lost his wounded arm through amputation.

• He has refused to let the doctor treat his wounded arm.