Realism In Stephen Crane's The Bride Comes To Yellow Sky

In the story “The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky”, Stephen Crane utilizes the comic tone throughout the story. By following the footsteps of tradition of Western literature, Crane perfectly employs realism to portray the differences between East and West. This style further highlights the influence of the East on the West. In this short story, Stephen Crane applies symbolism to analyse the role of the inhabitants of East and West in transformation, and intrusion of Eastern culture in the West.

Symbolism is an essential element of the story that connects the theme and story together. Symbolism is one of the elements used in stories which engage readers to think deep. Crane uses the realistic imagination; however, interpretation

of imagery can be varied. Symbolism is related to a place, color, person, or thing to depict the depth of the situation. While scrutinizing the text, it appears that Crane carefully introduced the symbolism of color, people, places and things. The color is chosen for the purpose of foreshadowing or it can be taken as a tool to get the information about person, place and thing in the story.
In the title of the story Yellow color indicates its dominancy in the story. Yellow color can be used to symbolize various things, for example, Yellow color can create obscurity. Crane used it to show the cowardice behavior of the Potter: “Frequently he had reflected on the advisability of telling them by telegraph, but a new cowardice had been upon him” (Crane 2). Moreover, it also symbolizes radiant and brightness which a bride takes with her. Crane has skillfully uses in both ways. He gives the blue color to the bride’s attire: “She wore a dress of blue cashmere...”(Crane 1). Yellow color can be taken as radiant and blue symbolizes the “Sky”, which indicates that this bride will transform the traditions of the town. “The great Pullman was whirling onward with such dignity of motion that a glance from the window seemed simply to prove that the plains of Texas were pouring eastward” (Crane 1). The opening sentence of the story is a theme on which gradual development of the story occurs. The words “great Pullman” and “dignity of motion” clearly signifies superiority and influence. In the train Marshal Jack Potter, his new bride, and other passengers are present. It seems that Potter’s marriage to the East has been affected his role as a Marshall. His behavior indicates that he has already realized the change that is going to happen in his town. Therefore, as a symbolism, Pullman train perfectly signifies the encroachment of Eastern society in the West.
In another occasion, story is set in a completely different environment which is a “Weary Gentleman” saloon (3). It is a bar which comprises of all the stuff that is considered to be necessary in the West: men, guns, whisky, and a barkeeper who knows everything. Here the influence of the east can be seen in the shape of a new-comer, in the bar, which can get the knowledge about local customs and social norms. In this setting, Scratchy Wilson appears, who drunk and disturb the bar’s atmosphere. A young man suddenly comes inside and shouts that “Scratchy Wilson's drunk, and has turned loose with both hands” (Crane 4).
Crane logically applied both symbolism in the story which distinct the Eastern and Western customs. The great dignified train symbolizes the East, and the bar symbolizes the West. In both settings Crane introduced two main characters: Scratchy Wilson and Jack Potter. Both of these characters act as symbols.
Potter acting as a role of Marshall leaves the Yellow Sky, and marries a woman whom he loves.

He realizes that he did a mistake of marrying in secret: “Presently it was apparent that, as the distance from Yellow Sky grew shorter, the husband became commensurately restless.” He seems to be very much self-conscious on this decision. He “was beginning to find the shadow of a deed weigh upon him like a leaden slab.” “He, the town marshal of Yellow Sky, a man known, liked, and feared in his corner…” (2), because he doesn’t consult with his friends, relatives and elders of the town. He appeared to be a powerless, soft, and not independent. In western tradition consultation with friends, relative and town’s elders was important before getting married. However, Potter ignored this, and married a woman. The bride is going to change the traditions of West, or Potter’s act would be considered insolence against social norms. Both implications can be inferred from the couple’s

symbolism.
On the other hand in West Scratchy Wilson is a drunken bum who never seems to give up his activities.

He acts as a rascal who terrifies the people in the town. Crane describes his attire that he wears fancy shirts and colored boots. His dress also signifies the influence of East, the shirt he wears is made “by some Jewish women on the east side of New York” and the boots are from “the hillsides of New England” (5). He is not much aware of his dressing which portrays him a joker like personality. Despite of this he appears to be the most powerful person of the town. His terror is depicted as "this here Scratchy Wilson is a wonder with a gun -- a perfect wonder -- and when he goes on the war trail, we hunt our holes – naturally” (5). Furthermore, he is described as a last one of the old gangs: He's about the last one of the old gang that used to hang out along the river here” (5). It gives clue that Scratchy is the indication of dying culture of west because he seems to be the outdated. The character Scratchy and Potter’s bride can be interpreted in terms of death and birth of cultures respectively.

Finally, when Scratchy and Potter meets, it becomes an interesting and humorous situation. This setting of the story is full of suspense. Like every other story one can expect here that there would be armed fight between them. Potter is with his wife, and unexpectedly he has no gun. Here Potter also ignores the norms of the west in which people do have gun.

Additionally Potter must have it because he controls the law and order situation. This, too, symbolizes the dying norms of the society.
Scratchy stuns when he finds his enemy has no gun: “There ain't a man in Texas ever seen you without no gun. Don't take me for no kid” (Crane 7). Interestingly, to his amazement Potter tells him that he has married and brought a bride from the east. Hearing this news Scratchy falls in utter astonishment: "Married!" said Scratchy, not at all comprehending. Another transformation occurs: “Well, I 'low it's off, Jack,” (7) and Scratchy drops his weapon, and peacefully surrendered. So the Eastern woman has changed him completely.
To conclude, Crane uses symbols to describe the Eastern and Western culture, and influence of the East on the West. In every setting of the story symbolization is used. These symbols are color, persons, places and things. In the title he uses yellow color which indicates various things like radiance, cowardice or brightness. Pullman train is the symbol of glory and influence of the East on the West. Blue dressed bride is sign of change. Thus, Crane shows Eastern culture has gradually encroached in West and influenced its norms, traditions and behaviors.