 The Monster is an 1898 novella by American author Stephen Crane ( 1871 – 1900 ) . The story takes place in the small , fictional town of Whilomville , New York . An African @-@ American coachman named Henry Johnson , who is employed by the town 's physician , Dr. Trescott , becomes horribly disfigured after he saves Trescott 's son from a fire . When Henry is branded a " monster " by the town 's residents , Trescott vows to shelter and care for him , resulting in his family 's exclusion from the community . 
