Read these two excerpts, one from Crane's The Red Badge of Courage and one from the Harper's Weekly story "On the Kentucky Border."
The cold passed reluctantly from the earth, and the retiring fogs revealed an army stretched out on the hills, resting. As the landscape changed from brown to green, the army awakened, and began to tremble with eagerness at the noise of rumors.--from The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
It is a black, moonless night, threatening rain, and a strong wind has arisen, making melancholy music among the boughs and branches of the forest, driving its foliage fiercely in one direction, as if in emulation of the great wet-looking clouds which are moving rapidly and continuously athwart the face of the heavens.--from "On the Kentucky Border"
How are these two descriptions of nature different from each other?
The Harper's Weekly description uses symbolism and satire.
The Harper's Weekly description is told from a Realist's point of view.
Crane's description is more flowery and Romantic.
Crane's description uses personification to humanize nature