Stephen Crane The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky

In part 1, Crane describes the progress of “The Great Pullman" train across Texas. (p.409) While Yellow Sky is located in west Texas, it is still accessible by train. The train acts as a link between the domesticated Eastern civilization and the Western frontier. The uneasiness of Jack and his wife is shown when he asks her, “Ever been in a parlor car before?” She responds by saying, “No, I never was. It’s fine, ain’t it.” (p.409) Then Crane describes the car the couple is traveling in. “As Jack pointed out to her the dazzling fittings of the coach, and in truth her eyes opened wider as she contemplated the sea-green figured velvet, the shining brass, silver, and glass, the wood that gleamed as darkly brilliant as the surface of a pool of oil.” (p. 409) This shows us how awestruck t

he couple felt about being in such an extravagant environment. The two are so self-conscious and intimidated by their surroundings that the black porter, “Bullies them with skill in ways that did not make it exactly plain to them that they were being bullied.” (p.410) They also receive the same treatment from the black waiter, who “patronizes them.” (p.410) In the couple’s minds, the exquisite surroundings reflect the glory of their marriage. The passengers aboard the train and the staff are not impressed, however. They see the bride’s under-class dress, her shy and clumsy style, and the groom’s self-consciousness and lack of sophistication.

The final way Crane shows us the domestication of the Old West is when he alludes to the staple feature of Westerns, the gunfight, which never happens. In part 4, Jack and his bride encounter Scratchy near Jack’s house. Scratchy gets the drop on Jack, accuses him of trying to sneak up on him, and warns him about trying to draw his gun. When Jack tells him that he has no gun, Scratchy is livid and tells him, “Don’t take me for no kid.” (p.415) This is a surprising line from Scratchy because he has been tearing up t

Some topics in this essay:
Yellow Sky, Easternization Scratchy, Sky Jack, East” Crane, Yellow Sky”, East York”, Stephen Crane’s, yellow sky, description scratchy’s, foreign condition, getting train, crane describes, getting married,