Stephen Crane often portrays the soldiers as being at the mercy of the war machine. They are pushed and pulled by the military commands, facing not only the enemy but also the inefficiency and callousness of the military system at times. Their lives are disrupted, and they are forced to adapt to the constantly changing and dangerous environment of the Civil War battlefield.
He depicts them as ordinary people thrust into extraordinary and terrifying situations. They are not glorified heroes but rather real, flawed individuals.
He depicts them as complex individuals. Some are brave, some are cowardly. They are all affected by the war in different ways.
The characters in 'Soldiers of Salamis' are depicted as being in a state of constant struggle. In the context of the civil war, they face moral dilemmas. They have to make difficult decisions, like whether to show mercy to an enemy or follow orders blindly. Some characters grow cynical due to the horrors they experience, while others find unexpected courage within themselves.
Another theme is the disillusionment of the soldiers. They go into war with certain ideals, but often find that reality is far from what they expected. The stories depict how they lose their naivete and face the cruel truth of war. In many of his short stories, the characters start with a sense of patriotism but end up disillusioned by the senseless killing and destruction.
He depicts them as complex individuals. Some soldiers may be brave on the battlefield but have deep - seated fears or doubts in their personal lives. For example, a character could be a fearless fighter but worry about his family back home.
Stephen Crane's civil war novel offers a unique perspective. It doesn't just focus on the grand battles but delves deep into the individual experiences of the soldiers. His writing style is somewhat impressionistic. In his works, we can see how the chaos of war affects the common man, and how the concept of heroism is redefined in the context of the Civil War.
Historical fiction about the civil war typically combines real events and characters with fictional elements to give a rich and immersive account. It can show the heroism, tragedy, and complexity of that period, making it come alive for readers.
It presents different aspects of the war such as the camaraderie among the soldiers. Despite the hardships, there are moments of connection and support between the men. However, it also doesn't shy away from showing the brutality, like the scenes of wounded and dying soldiers, which gives a vivid picture of what the Civil War was like.
The story by Stephen Crane could touch upon the economic impact of the post-civil war. Maybe it shows how communities struggled to rebuild or how industries were affected. It might also explore the psychological trauma of soldiers returning home.
The story could show the longing for peace as part of the Christmas spirit. Soldiers may have dreamed of a cease - fire during Christmas, a time when they could put aside their weapons and remember the values of love and harmony that Christmas represents. This longing for a moment of peace in the middle of the war is a strong aspect of the Christmas spirit in that context.
In these stories, the soldiers could be portrayed in multiple ways. They were real people thrown into an extreme situation. Some soldiers might be shown as inexperienced at the start and then growing into more seasoned fighters. There would be descriptions of their uniforms, equipment, and how they interacted with their comrades. The stories may also explore the psychological toll of war on them. After all, they had to endure long marches, shortages of supplies, and the constant threat of death. Their relationships with their officers and the camaraderie among them would also be important aspects of how they are portrayed.