Strong Examples of student writing from our forum on The Monster. SEE END FOR
GOOD REPLIES. (Note that I’ve trimmed down many of these).
… on page 37 the author writes about Henry the “monster,” going through town and creating
havoc. Most memorably on Main Street where an “Irish girl threw a fit” (37). In my opinion,
this represents the racial segregation going on at this time. Main Street is also known in most
towns and cities as the main road, the place where the all the towns people meet, and where
the shopping areas might be. It is the symbol of “all American” small town. The Irish girl
clearly depicts a white person, correlating a white “all American” street. Therefore, when
depicting the Farragut’s on “Watermelon” Street, around the corner, it shows the racially
divided community.
…Another piece of symbolism I noticed, though not at first, was the 15 cups. After carefully
thinking about the text, I think I understand what the author was trying to represent. The
fifteen cups represent the persons involved in a trial of the court. Twelve jurors, a judge, a
plaintiff, and a defendant. The jurors, would be the townsmen as a group, whom are trying to
decide the fate of Henry, and Dr. Trescott as well. Judge Hagenthorpe, would ultimately be the
judge, staying neutral with both parties, but is looking into the best interest for both
parties. He is not really saying too much, but mostly listens. Henry would be the Defendant
in this case, charged with the crime of being racially unequal to these people, as well as being
cosmetically scarred, and inducing fear to the ignorant townspeople. The Plaintiff would be
“the women” (pg. 51). Mr. Twelve stated that the women were scared of Henry. I think we
all understand that it was a collective fear, not just the women. But the women of this time
were not allowed to sit on a twelve man jury at this time…
I argue that Henry Johnson’s lavender trousers represent the towns’ fear of social instability
and in turn maybe the American people at this time the novel was written. We are introduced
to Henry’s lavender trousers as he is dressing after working all day washing the buggy wheels.
As Henry is working in the morning he is spoke to in a far different way than when he is
dressed in his lavender trousers, “when in his working-clothes, he had met a friend-“Hello,
Pete!” “Hello, Henry (5)!”” When speaking to a friend they use a first name basis. However
once he has changed into his lavender trousers the tone changes when he meets that same
friend again “Good-evenin’, Misteh Johnsing (5).” The two friends address each other by their
last names, which seems more proper, like those of a higher social class would do.
The social aspect comes in to play throughout the novel by the use of terms such as groups and
class. “The young men of the town were mainly gathered at the corners, in distinctive groups”
(5), and again “a member of the one of the profane groups” (5). As groups of the same social
class, white men in this instance, are hanging around together in very “distinctive groups”
meaning to anyone walking down the street they would be able to know that these men are
grouped together based on the same race and most likely class and ideas. This is expressed on
page 5 when the novel describes that the men are grouped together due to “expressed various
shades and lines of chumship.” These men were friends and shared the same ideas and values
that social class should still be respected and anyone that tries to change those ideas is
threatening the idea of social stability. The group of men in the barbershop touches on this
Commented [LM1]: This author finds a seemingly
insignificant remark, but look how well she uses that to
further analyze the symbolic, racialized, geography of the
town.
Commented [LM2]: Very thoughtful and imaginative
thinking. I think I might interpret it a little differently,
myself, but this author is right: the community holds an
extra-legal “trial” of its most vulnerable member. The main
thing here is how wonderfully creative this idea is: this
writer isn’t just “reading” the story, she is thinking deeply
about it and trying to interpret the challenges it poses for us.
Commented [LM3]: Notice how a small detail of the text
opens up to major big ideas.
Commented [LM4]: Excellent close attention to the
language of the text, here registering the subtle but
incredibly important distinctions in how people address each
other. This author is able to see how the social interaction
reflects class aspirations, and that makes a great first step in
the argument.
Commented [LM5]: The next step in the argument is to
carefully study how the text groups people, reflecting a static
and segregated community. Notice how well the post keeps
going back to the text and pulling out significant language to
analyze, like “groups” and “chumship” etc.
when one says, “you ought to see the coon that’s coming!” (6). This racist term is
demonstrating that a group of white men still believe that white men and African Americans
should not be grouped together hence causing more fear to social instability.
“There was one man who ran with an almost fabulous speed. He wore lavender trousers” (12).
Henry is described as a man who is fabulous. Henry had a great way about him when he was
wearing his lavender trousers. He was proud and referred to in the novel by encouraging terms
as “fabulous” or “the biggest dude in town” (7). Henry is walking around with a great sense of
himself. He is starting to change the way the town looks at him. They are seeing him as a man
to be envied or respected, not as an African American who should be working hard for a white
family and not out enjoying himself and the company of others. This thinking makes the town
people start to fear the idea of change; that social class is starting to become equal and mix,
that social stability is changing and this is a thought that they are not ready for and afraid of.
This brings us to the fire. Henry starts to be viewed differently. “He cried out again in the
negro wail that had in it the sadness of the swamps” (14). Henry is looked upon as an African
American and no longer in the same social class as the town’s people as he was earlier
walking with his lavender trousers on. “An orange-colored flame leaped like a panther at the
lavender trousers (14).” The flame almost represents the fears of the people, the fear of
change, the fear of social stability changing. The flames destroys the lavender trousers and
with it the idea of ending racism. The fire had to destroy the trousers and Henry in order for
the people to no longer fear social change. Henry and his trousers were an example of
changing times. Some people just were not ready to give up the old ways of thinking about
race and segregation. Therefore Henry had to become a monster in order for the people to
continue believing and thinking the way they always had and the way their ancestors had, that
race and segregation should continue and that in their mind there was nothing wrong with this
belief as that is the way they had been brought up.
… Effacement has to do with the obliteration of form or features. Withdrawing oneself
modestly or shyly. In the story, to lose face is to lose the persona by which one is recognized
within the general community. It is to lose that characteristic that marks one as a known
quantity. In the beginning Henry was viewed as a companion for his master’s son Jim, he was
an impressive display to the town folks as he dressed up for his evening strolls and he was a
fine and dandy man worthy of being courted. As soon as he ‘loses his face,’ which in his case
was graphic, he was then seen as a horrifying figure to the general eye. Self-effacement was
evident from the beginning. “It was apparent from Jimmie’s manner that he felt some kind of
desire to efface himself”, (p.2), after destroying the flower and being reprimanded by his
father Jimmie was humiliated. “….he went away, with his head lowered, shuffling his feet”.
He could be considered here as withdrawing himself. The same can be said of Bella Farragut.
She was courting Henry Johnson, the burn victim. “Oh, ma, isn’t he divine?” (p.7) showed that
she had nothing but praise, adoration and affection towards him. When she thought he was
dead from the fire and would be seen as a hero (p.20) she was all too quick to announce her
engagement to marry him, yet as soon as she learnt about his physical impairment she was as
quick to withdraw herself and reject him outright. Dr. Trescott was a highly favored physician
in the community who lost this status due to his decision to care for Henry. “…but you are
Commented [LM6]: Now the argument begins to “add up”
and returns to the Lavender Trousers, the opening premise.
The post is wonderfully well organized: a claim, then some
evidence of Henry’s social aspirations, then some evidence
about how hostile the town is to those aspirations, then with
those two key contexts in mind, the argument returns to the
Lavendar pants and is able to further analyze them.
Commented [LM7]: As this writer analyzes the theme of
self-effacement, look how carefully she establishes a pattern.
Here, the words “efface himself” is actually there on the
page.
Commented [LM8]: Here, a second example helps build
the case, even though the word “efface” isn’t used—the
author still makes a great point about “withdrawing” from
contact with Henry
doing yourself a great deal of harm. You have changed from being the leading doctor in town
to about the last one” (p.51). It can be said that Dr. Trescott metaphorical suffered loss of face
when he was cast from society. …
I argue that the tea cups at the end of The Monster represent the larger theme of mob mentality
and discrimination which is constantly covered up by the traditional American happiness. The
narrator emphasized twice that there were fifteen untouched tea cups and uncut teacake at Mrs.
Trescotts usual tea party. For fifteen people to neglect a usual luxurious tea party shows that
there was a large loss of face.
The idea of loss of face comes up frequently in this short story. Most importantly, the flower at
the beginning of the story which Jim soiled while playing trains, “could do no reparation” (1).
It has been established in this story that without beauty, there is no time for admiration of any
sort. For example, although Johnson’s body was burned, it was his face that led people to view
his life as unworthy, “Henry Johnson could not live. His body was frightfully seared, but more
than that, he had no face” (20). This idea of infirmity ceasing something’s beauty set the theme
for the entire story, bringing us to the idea of the teacups.
Usually a tea party held between women is thought of as elegant and a time for relaxation.
However, Henry Johnson’s monstrous appearance after the fire incident, became the talk of
the town no longer in a heroic way but in a horrid way. Mrs. Trescott has been associated with
Henry Johnson due to her husband being responsible for keeping him alive even though he is
impaired, as well as housing him for some time. In the case of the tea party, it could be
considered that the infirmity which ceased its beauty and elegance was not Henry Johnson
himself, but the idea of mob mentality and gossip between the townspeople. In comparison to
the destruction of the peony by something as fun as Jim playing trains, shows how Mrs.
Trescott’s beautiful reputation was not ruined simply by Henry Johnson but by the joy people
find in constant gossip and discrimination. The idea of Mrs. Trescott being scuffed away by
fifteen of the women in her town, shows how the community feeds off of one another’s gossip
and do not distinguish themselves each as an individual on their own but rather as a collective
entity. Henry’s appearance may have been monstrous and horrifying to those exposed to it, but
the false stories spread around town were what soiled him even more. On pages 37 and 38 is a
conversation between Dr. Trescott and a police man in the town. The police man informed him
of the capture of Henry and went on to tell stories based on stories he heard from the
townspeople. The police man explained Henry in a monstrous way, “...they say an old woman
broke her leg, or something, shinning over a fence” (37). However, on page 40 as the
character Carrie went on and on about the latest drama on Henry Johnson. Carrie told the story
about him frightening a party of young children as well the incident jumping over a fence to
escape Henry. Carrie said “…poor old Mrs. Farragut sprained her ankle in trying to climb a
fence” (40). There is an enormous difference between spraining an ankle as Carrie said
occurred, and breaking a limb as the police man stated. These two different stories shows how
gossip dramatizes and switches stories as they passed around. …
Commented [LM9]: And a third great example, of
“metaphorical loss of face.” These three examples are all
interesting, but put together they really make something
powerful, in part because they don’t all say exactly the same
thing. This third one, for example, helpfully complicates
question of agency. Dr. Trescott is NOT voluntarily effacing
himself, yet the Judge lays the blame on him: “you are doing
YOURSELF harm.” A key problem in a text about
responsibility.
Commented [LM10]: Strong opening argument that links
a major symbol in the text with not just an idea, but an
important relationship between Mob
mentality/Discrimination and “Traditional American
happiness.” This whole post is great, but it’s a particularly
strong opening. The line “there was a large loss of face”
subtly and cleverly links actual facial disfigurement with the
social consequences the Trescotts confront – something the
author keep working with throughout.
Commented [LM11]: I cut off this excellent post here to
save space, but my final comment is about how carefully the
author read: look at the contradiction that appears here, and
how that works on the argument about rumor, gossip, and
mob mentality…
I argue that the rickety porches in Stephen Crane’s, “The Monster,” play a significant role in
developing the town’s public view towards Henry by acting as a platform where gossip takes
place. Moreover, the porches represent the people and the community in the small, suburb of
Whilomville where everyone knows everyone, and where news travels fast. For example, the
outbreak of the fire attracted talk of the entire town. More importantly to the story, the entire
town deems Henry as a monster related to his disfigured body and race. The town has a way
of impacting the views of the people. Ultimately, the Trescott’s are shunned from the
community for caring for Henry. If more people followed the lead of the Trescott’s, would
they be excluded too because of front porch chatter? Porches are visible, outward facing
structures on people’s homes. Everyone has one – it’s the face of their home. They represent
who they want to be perceived as. Although a small detail and hardly mentioned, I could only
imagine the porches literally represent the platform where public opinion is developed. Crane
states, “the Farraguts were spending their evening as usual on the rickety little
porch. Sometimes they howled gossip to other people on other rickety porches (35),” alluding
to the gossip that takes place throughout the town. This gossip impacts the town as a whole no one wants to go against the norms and views of the town for the fear, the fear of becoming
an outsider. Not only does front porch chatter influence public opinion, but Judge
Hagenthorpe also played a huge role in steering the public to view Henry as a monster….
I argue that The Monster, by Stephen Crane symbolizes American society during the
mechanical time period of 1898-1899, but more specifically the verbal and social constraints
that evolved. Crane uses language and symbolism to describe the oppression of individuality.
For example, Crane writes, “a fact which made him rather remarkable among barbers, who, as
a class, are austerely speechless, having been taught silence by the hammering reiteration of
tradition” (29). Here he uses “barbers” to describe American citizens, who by social tradition,
have been taught to suppress any ideas not shared or deemed “appropriate” by society. Further
in the text, Bainbridge, an Engineer, states that Trescott should have let the monster (Henry
Johnson) die, which sparks Reifsnyder to respond with, “let him die?”. (page 29) The fact that
Crane makes it a point to state Bainbridge’s occupation can lead one to believe that he is
showing the reader that this silencing of language had permeated through all social
classes. Later, the text goes on to describe a banter back and forth between the men as they
scrutinize Reinfsnyder’s opinion. (page 29-31) This scene in particular illustrations how
challenging it was for a member of society to convey any original expressions of language.
Finally, in a last ditch effort to try and convince the men Reinfsnyder says, “No, but look…
supposing you don’t got a face.”. (page 31) Sadly, his efforts are yet again dismissed. It
appears that the men can not approve of Reinfsnyder’s thoughts because they simply are
incapable of thinking outside the box and even if they had, it would only end with ridicule and
embarrassment.
In addition, the literal act of shaving could also represent the desire to maintain a sense of
confidence and dignity, while upholding the appearance of fulfilling the all-American dream.
As we know this text was written in 1898, the birth of the American century, a time when
appearance meant everything and this was evident even early on in the text. For example
Crane states, “The doctor was shaving this lawn as if it were a priest’s chin” (1). …
And one last Post that is just all around wonderful!
Commented [LM12]: Fantastic creativity here to focus on
these porches…
Commented [LM13]: Excellent close reading of the text
here.
Commented [LM14]: Followed quickly by another very
close detail.
Commented [LM15]: Amazing juxtaposition here: from
the literal scene of Shaving, to the metaphoric “shaving” of
the lawn. I’m stopping here to save space, but I really admire
such clever juxtapositions.
I argue that the Judge and his cane in “The Monster” by Stephen Crane represents the strength,
solidarity, and influence racism had in American Society in the late 1800s. The fact that the
cane belonged to Judge Denning Hagenthorpe only strengthens this claim because of the high
status, power, and purpose that someone with this stature holds.
A judge is a symbol of power, justice, and equality and is viewed by society as someone who
can be counted on to make fair and just decisions. They are respected members of society of
and Judge Hagenthorpe was no exception. He is described as “[one] of four very active and
influential citizens [of Whilomville]” (19). The power and “influence” the judge has over the
citizens demonstrates how easily the beliefs he holds can be accepted by the citizens, or in the
larger scheme of things, the American culture.
Crane makes no mistake repeatedly mentioning the fact that the “head” (24) or “top” (24) of
his cane is the color white. This important reoccurring detail highlights the fact that the one of
the most influential members of society literally held and depended on the ideology of white
superiority. The purpose of a cane is to offer support, and Judge Hagenthorpe’s cane did just
that. He was completely dependent on it and Crane even goes as far to refer to it as “a kind of
narcotic [to him]” (25). This is a powerful reference which reflects just how much the judge
needs his cane, just like a drug addict in dependent on drugs. “He could never think at his best
until he was slightly leaning on his stick” (24). He “leaned” on the cane for support, just as
Americans “leaned” on racism as an excuse to exclude African American’s from the “top” of
the predominantly society. The judge “only risk[ed] the truth at the times when his cane was
lost” (24). Without the support of his cane, and the white privilege it represented, the judge
cannot project these racist ideas on to society, meaning that the power behind this movement
could not survive without support. The “truth” behind racism cannot be used to influence
society without the support of white power.
At one point the judge says to Mr. Trescott, “it is hard for a man to know what to do” (27).
This sentence strengthens the claim that the Judge needs support to make decisions, just as the
influential powers of society need support to promote ideas such as racism. What the judge is
saying is that it is difficult for individuals to make judgements on their own, with the
reinforcement of others who share similar views, this task not only becomes easier, but it also
brings society together.
The connotation of the judge and his cane in “The Monster” reflects the power of racist
ideologies in American society in the late 1800s. Crane used the power, influence and
ironically the just attributes that are associated with that of a judge, and the supportive, crutchlike purpose of a cane with a white head to symbolize how much each of these things
influenced one another.
SOME GOOD REPLIES:
Great post, I really didn't focus on the character Martha Goodwin in the reading, but you
brought up some good points. Upon re-reading the few pages about Martha, I found a few
more interesting lines to analyze per Professor Meyer's post.
I agree with you that Martha was a strong woman that "represents non conformity". I think
the text also depicted a symbol of her strength, and strong opinion of truth on pg. 48, "She held
an iron spoon, and it seemed as if she was going to attack them." Iron typically represents
strength, power, and is usually used to make weapons of warfare. In my opinion, the iron
spoon is symbolic in representing Martha’s strong opinion, and readiness to battle anyone who
tries to convince her of anything but the truth. Martha also makes another interesting
statement "Sadie Winter has passed here a many a morning since then carrying her schoolbag.
Where was she going? To a wedding?" (pg. 48) I found this interesting, because weddings
represent happiness, new beginnings, and a religious bond between two people. So, was
Martha , or the text trying to symbolize Sadie, as happy, and starting new beginnings, forever
"bonded" so to speak, with Henry, since her untruths about him fueled the "whole towns'
fears?
In regards to the scene with Jimmy I found a quote interesting line that brings me back to the
tie with Sadie. On pg. 44 "The wail of the melody was mournful, and slow. They drew back.
Its seemed to spellbind them with the power of a funeral." This made me think: Henry is not
only now disfigured, but he was also ostracized by his friends, neighbors, and the love of his
life. Life as he once knew if has "died" and now he was singing the processional song. In
conclusion, I think Martha was standing for her truth, that she knew Sadie was untruthful, and
her untruths forever bonded her with Henry, and the "death" of his life as he once knew it.
To your point on where the social aspect comes into play, I noticed this in the fire scene as
well. "They were divided into parties over the worth of different companies, and supported
their creeds with no small violence" (17). The boys were far more interested in cheering for
their fire company and arguing over whose part of the city had the best fire company than they
were in the fire itself. “[T]here was considerable discussion as to which company had gotten
the first stream of water on the fire” (18). The text is using the companies as divisions of the
townspeople, categorizing the townspeople into the areas the companies served. As they were
based in certain locations, companies would be symbolic of the social standing of the specific
areas of town they serviced. The boys represented their company that would be in what they
considered to be the worthiest parts of town.
I take interest in your analysis of the sanctity of Henry. When perusing the definition of
“saint,” dictionary.com describes a saint “as a person of exceptional holiness, a person of
virtue and benevolence, or a founder of a movement or organization.” At first thought, the
sanctity of Henry is clearly defined by his actions in saving Jimmie as virtuous, benevolent
and holy. However, I would like to draw your attention to the idea of Henry, on a larger scale,
being the founder of a movement or ideology. There are fluctuating tones of racism through
out the novella, including reference to Black members of town as “negro” and assertions that
the black members of this town are less dignified as white members, with illusions of their
homes being “a row of tumble-down houses leaning together like paralytics. (Pg. 7) The
description of Henry portrays an alternative view of the black man in this town, that being that
Henry “was simply a quiet, well-bred gentleman of position, wealth and other necessary
achievements out for an evening stroll. (Pg. 3) Henry is a glaring difference from the norm of
town and a glaring exception to racist ideology. Through his subtleness, Henry opposes the
Commented [LM16]: Excellent: Not only does this writer
find a further line, but she offers a fantastic analysis of it!
Commented [LM17]: A second, wonderfully creative
contribution!
Commented [LM18]: Look how masterfully this Reply
not only keeps returning to the original post WHILE also
tying together the themes of the Reply itself. Amazing!
Commented [LM19]: A third great quote, and careful
analysis of it!
Commented [LM20]: This Reply takes up “your point”
about social division and brings up two new quotations—but
it doesn’t stop there! It also ANALYZES them. So good, so
helpful.
Commented [LM21]: A great analysis of the word “saint”
in the Post here motivates this other student, in the Reply, to
take another closer look and go back to the dictionary. And
look at how wonderfully this Reply takes an overlooked part
of that definition and runs with it: “a founder of a movement
of organization.”
Commented [LM22]: Look at the polite way this student
helps the original Post expand its argument—moving from
“character” to “concept” in a brilliant way: Henry is
“saintly” as a person, but also symbolically and ideologically
saintly as well! Great!
racist ideologies by challenging the perceptions of a black man. Simply, Henry’s character and
sanctity could be symbolic as a counter to racist ideologies.
Another idea to discuss when considering the sanctity of Henry is the idea of him being
a martyr. It is common in many religious contexts that a saint is also a martyr, that being a
person who suffers for belief or cause. The idea of martyrdom in a way elicits respect for the
martyr because they are so noble and committed to a cause that they are willing to die for it.
Henrys actions are heroic and his will to live resonates with the reader and makes one consider
the larger story behind this town. It is obvious the ostracization of Henry causes suffering.
However, his suffering could be interpreted as him serving as a martyr for the opposition to
racist ideology.
I strongly support your argument that the idea … Henry Johnson was indeed admired by the
people around town, however, not for who he was internally: "He was simply a quiet, wellbred gentlemen of position..." (page). I argue that the use of the word "position" is a hidden
way of recognizing Henry Johnson as a black man who knows their place in society….
Commented [LM23]: Look at the great re-interpretation of
this line; great work zeroing in on a single key word and
offering new ideas about it.