Symbolism In The Red Badge Of Courage

Words: 963
Pages: 4
Open Document
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane, a personal growth novel about a young man that becomes a soldier in the Civil War era, has many examples of symbolism and imagery as evident from the very beginning. The Red Badge of Courage, a work of historical fiction, shows the gruesome details of war through the eyes of Henry Fleming, a naive and experienced young man turned soldier. The story is full of symbolism as evident from the title. Stephen Crane’s use of color and animal imagery brings more life to an already gripping story and his graphic description of the personal growth of Henry from young boy to seasoned soldier. It keeps the reader enthralled to the very end. Personal growth, especially that of a boy into manhood, presents itself as one of the most evident themes in the red badge of courage. When Henry first signed on to serve as a soldier, he had a very romanticized, naive perception of what war and serving as a soldier would look like. Henry fantasized it that becoming a soldier would bring him glory and adoration from his peers.
“From his home he had gone to the seminary to bid adieu to many schoolmates. They had thronged about him with wonder and admiration. He had felt the gulf now between them and had swelled with calm pride. He and some of his fellows who had donned blue were …show more content…
Stephen Crane employs this symbolism many times throughout the book. To Henry, a red badge of courage symbolizes a war wound. In chapter 9 Crane writes, “At times he regarded the wounded soldiers in an envious way. He conceived persons with torn bodies to be peculiarly happy. He wished that he, too, had a wound, a red badge of courage” (Page 52). Corpses from the many battles serve as another symbolistic element throughout this book. Henry seemed to think that death in war would bring him glorification but Crane uses nameless corpses to symbolize meaningless death without glory. Crane
Show More

Related Documents: Symbolism In The Red Badge Of Courage

Red Badge Of Courage Research Paper

Crane’s Red Badge of Courage When people witness horrible atrocities, they feel the need to incite change. Stephen Crane experienced the Stephen Crane’s world renown novel, Red Badge of Courage, is a culmination of his experiences and was written in response to the events of the period to convey a message about true leadership. Crane’s early life prepared him to write exceptional works of literature and to lead the Naturalist movement. As a young child Crane was surrounded by writers and journalists…

Words 888 - Pages 4

The Red Badge Of Courage Language Analysis

Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage is thought of by many as one of the most important books in America focusing on war. This is mainly because of the very accurate representation of the perils of war that the book depicts. The largest factor in making the story that is told so believable is the many uses of literary devices and themes in the novel. In Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage, the use of figurative language, imagery, and the third-person limited omniscient point of view are…

Words 1128 - Pages 5

Hester's Self-Conception In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

How would you feel if you had to wear a badge of shame on your chest? After wearing the scarlet letter for so many years Hester's self-conception alters. As time passes, the letter begins to mean more than her troubles. Confined but not physically, she is not granted to extract the scarlet letter from her chest and restart a regular life. She welcomes her punishment and serves her term with as much honor and courage she can gather. The Scarlet Letter is signified to be a symbol of disgrace to Hester;…

Words 535 - Pages 3

The Great Bat stool Essay

a very showy, but fundamentally empty form of success. Carefully discuss how this idea is shown in the book. 2. Style refers to the way a writer puts words together: the length and rhythm of his sentences; his use of figurative language and symbolism; his use of dialogue and description. How does Fitzgerald’s styling and structuring of the narrative emphasize the novel’s major themes? 3. The word “careless” sums up one of the most important ideas in the book. Nick refers to Jordan, Tom, and…

Words 1001 - Pages 5