It was surprising that nature had gone tranquilly on with her golden process in the midst of so much devilment

It was surprising that nature had gone tranquilly on with her golden process in the midst of so much devilment

Stephen Crane, a master of naturalistic literature, often explored the juxtaposition of nature's beauty and brutality in his works. In his novel "The Red Badge of Courage," Crane vividly portrays the horrors of war while also highlighting the serene and unchanging nature of the natural world. The quote "It was surprising that nature had gone tranquilly on with her golden process in the midst of so much devilment" perfectly encapsulates this theme.

Throughout the novel, Crane paints a vivid picture of the chaos and violence of the Civil War, with soldiers facing death and destruction at every turn. The protagonist, Henry Fleming, grapples with fear, doubt, and the harsh realities of battle as he struggles to find his courage. Despite the overwhelming sense of despair and chaos, nature continues its cycle of growth and renewal, seemingly unaffected by the human suffering around it.

Crane's use of nature as a backdrop to the war serves to highlight the insignificance of human conflict in the grand scheme of things. While soldiers fight and die on the battlefield, the sun still rises and sets, the flowers still bloom, and the birds still sing. This contrast between the brutality of war and the tranquility of nature serves to underscore the futility of human violence and the enduring power of the natural world.

The phrase "golden process" in the quote suggests a sense of beauty and harmony in nature's cycles, a stark contrast to the chaos and destruction of war. Despite the devilment and evil that men inflict upon each other, nature remains constant and unchanging, a reminder of the inherent goodness and order in the world.

Overall, Crane's exploration of the relationship between nature and human conflict in "The Red Badge of Courage" is a powerful and thought-provoking commentary on the fragility of human life and the enduring power of the natural world. The quote "It was surprising that nature had gone tranquilly on with her golden process in the midst of so much devilment" serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and beauty of the natural world in the face of human folly.