An Episode of War

Compare the opening lines of “An Episode of War” with the final few lines of the story. How does Crane approach each of these important parts of the story? How is the tone similar and/or different? What effect does this create in each instance, and why might Crane wish to evoke these effects?

Find, describe, and analyze a single image from the story that you think is important. What makes this image stand out to you? How does this image fit in with the story as a whole? What symbol(s) or theme(s) does it touch on? How would the story be altered if it were to be removed?

Despite the story’s brevity, the protagonist (the lieutenant) has a noticeable character arc. Using quotes from the story, chart these changes. What are the most important stages of the lieutenant’s character development from the beginning to end? What do we learn about him, and how does Crane impart this information to the readers? 

While the lieutenant is the clear protagonist of “An Episode of War,” there are several other important characters he interacts with throughout the story. Choose one of these and discuss the ways in which they facilitate the lieutenant’s development and/or the plot’s development. What would be different in the story if your chosen character were removed? Why did Crane feel it necessary to include said character? How is he or she introduced? How does this correspond with the story arc?

“An Episode of War” has a sort of dividing line, between the first half of the story, which is focused on the front line, and the second half of the story,which is focused on the parts of the encampment behind the lines. Compare and contrast these two settings and the lieutenant’s experiences in each: what changes over the course of the story between these two locations? How does this change affect the lieutenant?