In Stephen Crane's "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky," a common theme is developed in the story. This theme is that, "The masculinity of the Old West is giving way to the domesticating femininity of the East." Crane supports this theme through his description of events on the train, the couples" actions after getting off of the train, the description of Scratchy's attire, and the uneventful show down at the end. .
In part 1, Crane describes the progress of "The Great Pullman" train across Texas. (p.409) While Yellow Sky is located in west Texas, it is still accessible by train. The train acts as a link between the domesticated Eastern civilization and the Western frontier. The uneasiness of Jack and his wife is shown when he asks her, "Ever been in a parlor car before?" She responds by saying, "No, I never was. It's fine, ain't it." (p.409) Then Crane describes the car the couple is traveling in. "As Jack pointed out to her the dazzling fittings of the coach, and in truth her eyes opened wider as she contemplated the sea-green figured velvet, the shining brass, silver, and glass, the wood that gleamed as darkly brilliant as the surface of a pool of oil." (p. 409) This shows us how awestruck the couple felt about being in such an extravagant environment. The two are so self-conscious and intimidated by their surroundings that the black porter, "Bullies them with skill in ways that did not make it exactly plain to them that they were being bullied." (p.410) They also receive the same treatment from the black waiter, who "patronizes them." (p.410) In the couple's minds, the exquisite surroundings reflect the glory of their marriage. The passengers aboard the train and the staff are not impressed, however. They see the bride's under-class dress, her shy and clumsy style, and the groom's self-consciousness and lack of sophistication.
As the train nears Yellow Sky, Jack becomes "commensurately restless," (p410) primarily because he knows that he has committed a socially unacceptable deed by getting married.
