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Contrast in "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky" Stephen Cranes short story Bride Comes to Yellow Sky stands out as a good example of author employing contrast as the method to convey his ideas to the readers. Throughout the story we see the same people, objects and even nature itself manifesting its opposite qualities. Nevertheless, these evolutions are there to emphasize the unchanging nature of mans best qualities of character - chivalry and courage. Marshal Potter is coming back to his home town Yellow Sky with his bride.
While on the train he appears to be very shy and even as such that can be bullied by the train personnel. Hes worried for not having told his friends of his marriage as it is against the traditions of his home town: such was Potter's thought of his duty to his friends, or of their idea of his duty, or of an unspoken form which does not control men in these matters, that he felt he was heinous. The parallel line of the story tells us about local trouble maker Scratchy Wilson, who went out on one of his drunken escapades, which usually involved shooting at people. The barmen is convinced that "Don't know whether there " ll be a fight or not but there " ll be some shootin " some good shootin. Scratchy appears to be looking for Potter, since he considers him to be his sworn enemy.
After finally having met face to face with Potter, Scratchy changes his original intention of shooting Potter because of the new circumstances that he was unaware of. Such is the plot of the story. By showing Potter as shy redneck, at the beginning of story, Crane creates suspense, in which we are to discover the true value of social behavior code, after it is being applied to the rugged realities of Wild West. It is very remarkable that the same person, who tries to hide his social embarrassment, while on the train, acts as a true hero when being confronted by Scratchy. In the third part of the story, Potters self-respecting posture, under the threat of death, tells us a great deal about this man. He is already a winner, without having to pull out his gun.
Scratchy is also a man of contrasts. People in the bar talk of him as the nicest fellow when sober. Yet, in his drunken rage Scratchy turns into a dangerous animal. Hes capable of killing people but in different manner from Potter - Scratchy is only brave when hes drunk.
Therefore, we can think of him as the man of passion, while Potter is clearly the man of reason. It is very symptomatic that author represents these two characters by showing different sides of their personalities in development. It is only the reason why both Potter and Scratchy are possessing strong realistic values. We can say that they are the 3 D characters and the conflicting qualities of their inner being only emphasize their reality.
But it is not only the people that are demonstrated by author through the method of contrast. He applies the same technique to the background surroundings and different items that we now associate with the spirit of Wild West. While rolling through planes of Texas, the train with its civilization al properties can be thought of as nothing else but the thrust of progress into the realm of primeval values. Potters new clothes, just as Scratchy's marooned shirt is an allegory of skin-deep rationality layer over the depths of instinct.
It is not by mere accident that while we see Potter on the train, author describes the nature outside of cars window in bleak and depressing colors. It symbolizes the authors view of relation between nature and morality. The golden glow of brass tableware does not only please ones eye, its true meaning is that affects surrounding reality in very negative way. Yet, in Yellow Sky there is a green growth to be found -Across the sandy street were some vivid green grass plots. Author clearly identifies mans tendency towards violence with a special kind of vitality.
Even nature corresponds to what happens in the realm of men. It surrounds Potter in the form of lifeless desert, while is on the train, being suppressed by social taboos. But it begins to show more and more signs of liveliness, once he enters the town. The roots of this contrast are metaphysical only armed confrontation between men clarifies who is the worthiest, everything else is not worth a penny. Bride Goes to Yellow Sky is deeply philosophical work of literature. The contrasting qualities of the same characters and physical objects in this story do not affect their inner essence.
Author had rightfully chosen not to convey his social ideas to the readers directly as only portraying characters and events in all their complexity make his story credible. Outline: Paragraph 1 Foreword Paragraph 2 The plot Paragraph 3 - Contrast in the character of Marshal Potter Paragraph 4 Contrast in the character of Scratchy Wilson Paragraph 5 Contrast in description on the nature Paragraph 6 Conclusion
Free research essays on topics related to: bride comes to yellow sky, home town, potter, wild west, scratchy
Research essay sample on Contrast In The Bride Comes To Yellow Sky
