Question

Explain the personality differences between the adjutant and Lean in paragraphs 8-12. (In The Upturned Face by Stephen Crane)

Answer 1

8. "I suppose," said the adjutant, slowly, "we'd better search his clothes for--things." 9. Lean nodded. Together in curious abstraction they looked at the body. Then Lean stirred his shoulders suddenly, arousing himself. 10. "Yes," he said, "we'd better see what he's got." He dropped to his knees, and his hands approached the body of the dead officer. But his hands wavered over the buttons of the tunic. The first button was brick-red with drying blood, and he did not seem to dare to touch it. 11. "Go on," said the adjutant, hoarsely. 12. Lean stretched his wooden hand, and his fingers fumbled the bloodstained buttons. At last he rose with ghastly face. He had gathered a watch, a whistle, a pipe, a tobacco-pouch, a handkerchief, a little case of cards and papers. He looked at the adjutant. There was a silence. The adjutant was feeling that he had been a coward to make Lean do all the grisly business.