In The Red Badge of Courage Henry Fleming, the main character grows up in a small town and signs up for the army against his mother will because he dreams of being a hero. Henry enlists in the 304th Regiment of New York Volunteers. However, after Henry joins the regiment he finds that his emotions are all mixed up. Henry wonders how he will act when confronted with enemy fire. In The Red Badge of Courage, Crane uses symbolism to show Henry's feeling of fear, humility, and courage.

"The Red Badge of Courage is laden with symbols and images" (Crane, Stephen... 2). After Henry joins the army he has some doubts about how he will perform while in battle. Henry is afraid that once he sees the enemy he will run. In the beginning of The Red Badge of Courage Wilson symbolizes fear. Wilson is known as the loud soldier in the novel. At first Wilson tells Henry that he will fight well and not run away. Henry then asks him how he knows that he won't run from the battle. Wilson laughs and then leaves because he is mad at Henry for asking that question. However Wilson is also afraid. Before a battle he gives Henry a letter to give to his family after his death, "for Wilson i

In The Red Badge of Courage Jim Conklin symbolizes courage. Jim is known in The Red Badge of Courage as the tall soldier. In the beginning of the novel Jim is down at the creek washing his shirt. Bloom states that, "his shirt is like a flag"(24). Henry asks Jim whether he thinks any of the soldiers will run from the battle. Jim says that some will run, but most will stay and fight. He says that he will do what the majority of the men do. This reassures Henry and show Jim's courage. Jim however is shot the first day of battle. The next time Henry see Jim, Jim is dying. Jim does not mind that he is dying. Jim's only fear is that he will fall down in the road and artillery wagons will run over him. Jim dies horribly, but with dignity. When Jim dies the tattered soldier, "is impressed by Jim's bravery"(The Red... 4). In The Red Badge of Courage, "some readers identify Jim with Jesus Christ, and claim that his death absolves Henry of his sins of cowardice" (The Red...4). "Henry is redeemed by Jim's death" (The Red... 3). Henry begins to fight bravely now. When the fighting begins, Henry begins to fight as hard as he can. As the enemy retreats he continues to fire until his fellow soldiers tell him he is shooting at nothing. The lieutenant is impressed by this action and Henry realizes that he is now a hero. Henry then leads the regiment forward in the front line. When the color sergeant is s

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Approximate Word count = 954
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)