LLT 180 – Study Guide – Crane

Know the following characters from Crane's novel (who they are; what they do): Henry Fleming, Jim Conklin, Wilson, the lieutenant, the captain, the colonel, the general.

Know Army ranks, enlisted and officer, in order and know unit terminology (brigade, regiment, company).

Be ready to write upon the film, Gettysburg, and how it impacts your understanding of the book and of Civil War heroism, with special attention to the actions of Colonel Joshua Chamberlain and his Maine regiment.

The US first awarded its highest military medal, the Congressional Medal of Honor, during the Civil War.  What qualities did our government seek to reward and encourage?  What did Colonel Chamberlain do to win it?

Consider the poet Walt Whitman's contribution to our understanding of the Civil War in his poem, "Hard Prest".  What was the basis of his understanding of that war's experience?

Be prepared to write upon the information that Sgt. Hinterleiter shares on his video.

Topics to ponder (and be ready to write on):

• What is Henry Fleming’s notion of a hero in war at the start of his military experience?
• What does he view as shameful behavior in war?  What is his greatest fear going into combat?
• How similar or different are your views of war heroism to Henry’s?
• What does combat in the Civil War look and sound like?  Do film recreations match Crane’s descriptions?
• What sort of leadership do the officers of Henry’s unit provide?  What qualities were shown by
  officers at Gettysburg?
• To whom does Henry, as a new private, look for leadership?
• What is his first combat experience like in Chapter 5?  What are his emotions at this point?
• What are Henry’s emotions in his second combat event in Chapter 6?
• By Chapter 11, what is Henry’s picture of ‘the hero’?
• How does Henry get his wound in Chapter 12?  How does it change his outlook afterwards?
• What are the emotions of his experience in combat in Chapter 17?
• What is your view of Henry as a soldier?  Is he heroic?
• What are the dominant emotions of combat as described by Crane?
• How is combat in the Civil War different from combat for the ancient Greeks?  What values are different in 19^th century America?  What values are the same?