STEPHEN CRANE'S (1871-1900) fiction has a complex symbolic structure. It is chiefly through his symbols that we find an artist ardently struggling to construct an intellective position. The use of colours and an ironic way of presenting mysticism are other remarkable characteristics. Crane's total image pattern hints at the battle he has been fighting within himself. The purpose of this work is directed to exploring Crane's symbols as a clue to a developing world-view or a meaning of existence.

Essaying interesting studies in Crane's psychological realism, his use of religious and colour symbols and the influence of the French Impressionistic school on them, this book sheds light on the work of a courageous man who was always curious about life.

Stephen Crane, with his not-so-huge volume of work done in his short life, is still being called by some 'a minor American novelist'. But I feel that almost no other American writer needs to be critically revaluated as Crane does. His originality as a writer is chiefly based on his real-life and psychic experiences as well as on his powerful imagination. Another thing that attracts me more towards him is his unique courage shown in his life and works.

My view-point, in this book, would mostly focus on the complex texture of Crane's symbols. I have tried to clarify and analyse how these symbols are associated with colours and with religion. A part of my work would be directed to examine Crane's symbols from an Indian point of view, I do not know of any such previous approach and also to show how these symbols bring out glimpses of the psychic battles Crane had been fighting within himself.

It is my greatest pleasure to express my sincerest thanks to everyone whose inspiration and help have enabled me to carry on with my work along with my full-time teaching job and other commitments. I would love to make a special mention of my husband and friend Soumendra Prasad Sinha, my beloved teacher Professor Lohit Kumar Ghosh and my dearest parents Arati and Arun Kumar Chattopadhyay for their contributions to what I am today.