Section I:

In section I of The Monster, Dr. Trescott and his son, Jimmie are introduced.

Characteristic of Crane, the opening paragraph of the novel drops readers straightaway into action. In this case, the action is Jimmie’s imaginary train route. This “engine Number 36…was making the run between Syracuse and Rochester” and on its route, breaks off a peony from Jimmie’s mother’s garden. Jimmie turns himself in to his father. His father suggests that the train stop running for the day.

Though this section may seem irrelevant to the rest of the story and important plot, it sets up Dr. Trescott and Jimmie as relatable characters and as foils for Henry.  Little Jimmie obviously has a conscience as he turns himself in over one destroyed flower. Dr. Trescott’s benevolence is established in this section as well. Crane introduces the doctor to us as a kind, good father.

Link to text:

http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=CraMons.sgm&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=1&division=div2