The Bride Comes To Yellow Sky Analysis
Brenda Warrick
September 17, 2014
English 2223 The End of an Era
Stephen Crane writes a memorable story about the end of the American Frontier in The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky. It is a colorful story about a marshal, his new bride and an aging gunman. The end of the American Frontier is symbolized in the story with the advancement of the railroad system, the changes in Marshal Jack Potter, and the changes seen in gunman Scratchy Wilson. These points are expanded upon in the following paragraphs. The railway system coming from the east to the west and through Yellow Sky was symbolic. The new trains brought the advancements of the east to the west as stated, “The great Pullman was whirling onward with such dignity of motion that a glance …show more content…
The institution of marriage had come to the law of Yellow Sky. Potter wants to settle down and give up the old harsh gun slinging ways of past lawmen. He has broken the traditions of the Old West and has become more civilized and brought with him a bride to the unaware citizens of Yellow Sky. His bride represents the east and its movements west. “He laughed ….when he noted the first effect of his marital bliss upon Yellow Sky.” (Crane 1232) Potter’s appearance is weathered and his face “reddened from many days in the wind and sun,” (Crane 1229) but he is softened on the inside and he is anxious as to what the people of Yellow Sky will think about him bringing home a bride. Normally old western lawmen were very coarse and most didn’t marry due to the hazards of the …show more content…
Crane refers to Wilson as “the last of one of the old gang that used to hang out along the river here.” (Crane 1234) Scratchy Wilson is the last of an era for Yellow Sky. His old gang has all died and gone. Wilson knows it’s the end of the frontier as is evident from one of his final statements after seeing Potter’s bride, “well, I s’pose it’s all off now.” (Crane 1237) He realizes everything has changed and he will no longer be having gunfights in the streets with the marshal. The change is also seen in the way Scratchy dresses. Although he still has his old pants, he now wears a “maroon-colored flannel shirt ….made by some Jewish women on the east side of New York.” (Crane
September 17, 2014
English 2223 The End of an Era
Stephen Crane writes a memorable story about the end of the American Frontier in The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky. It is a colorful story about a marshal, his new bride and an aging gunman. The end of the American Frontier is symbolized in the story with the advancement of the railroad system, the changes in Marshal Jack Potter, and the changes seen in gunman Scratchy Wilson. These points are expanded upon in the following paragraphs. The railway system coming from the east to the west and through Yellow Sky was symbolic. The new trains brought the advancements of the east to the west as stated, “The great Pullman was whirling onward with such dignity of motion that a glance …show more content…
The institution of marriage had come to the law of Yellow Sky. Potter wants to settle down and give up the old harsh gun slinging ways of past lawmen. He has broken the traditions of the Old West and has become more civilized and brought with him a bride to the unaware citizens of Yellow Sky. His bride represents the east and its movements west. “He laughed ….when he noted the first effect of his marital bliss upon Yellow Sky.” (Crane 1232) Potter’s appearance is weathered and his face “reddened from many days in the wind and sun,” (Crane 1229) but he is softened on the inside and he is anxious as to what the people of Yellow Sky will think about him bringing home a bride. Normally old western lawmen were very coarse and most didn’t marry due to the hazards of the …show more content…
Crane refers to Wilson as “the last of one of the old gang that used to hang out along the river here.” (Crane 1234) Scratchy Wilson is the last of an era for Yellow Sky. His old gang has all died and gone. Wilson knows it’s the end of the frontier as is evident from one of his final statements after seeing Potter’s bride, “well, I s’pose it’s all off now.” (Crane 1237) He realizes everything has changed and he will no longer be having gunfights in the streets with the marshal. The change is also seen in the way Scratchy dresses. Although he still has his old pants, he now wears a “maroon-colored flannel shirt ….made by some Jewish women on the east side of New York.” (Crane