Camden Rothleder

Mr. Shakely
English 2xl/period 2
15 May 2017
Flawed Rationale

The poem, In the Desert, by Stephen Crane, creatively illustrates the

complicated nature of the human minds tendencies by using the story of creatures

found in the desert.

The creature of the poem is one of naked and bestial nature. This savage-like

creature readers are introduced to feeds on its own heart. However, Crane is doing

much more than just creating a savage creature. The savage nature creature itself

represents the savage nature of human desires. This character Crane creates is known

for feeding its own heart despite its bitter taste. Similarly, natural human inclinations

often feed on our heart, or what we would consider to be our conscience. Our rationale

gives us the ability to discern right from wrong. Nonetheless, our inclinations can feed

upon that rationale like the creature Crane writes about. My favorite part of the poem

lies within the dialog Crane creates between the human character (speaker) and the

monster from the desert. The speaker refers to the monster as friend and asks him Is

it good, friend? This question is the same question we often ask ourselves when we

arrive at an ethical conflict.

This poem and its theme of human tendencies carries similar topics found in

Mary Shelleys, Frankenstein. The wretch which characters are initially lead to believe

as being horrific in his very nature. However throughout the plot of the story, readers

learn of the wretchs human-like ability to learn and discern. Readers also arrive at the

conclusion of the savage nature within humanity as a result.