American Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam

In what year was the novel "The Red Badge of Courage" published?

1. 1844

2. 1874

3. 1895

4. 1915

The correct answer is: 1895

"The Red Badge of Courage" was written by Stephen Crane and published in October 1895. This was Crane's third novel and it was initially met with mixed reviews, however it has since become a classic work of American literature. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they are all too early to be the year of publication for this novel. Option A is the closest, however, 1844 would have been shortly after Crane's birth and he did not begin writing until the mid to late 1800s. Option B is also too early, as this novel was published close to the end of Crane's literary career. Option D is the farthest off, as it is twenty years after the actual publication date. Knowing the historical context of the post-Civil War era in which "The Red Badge of Courage" is set, option C, 1895