The Red Badge Of Courage By Stephen Crane Essay, Research Paper

The red badge – The red badge, a blood

stain, was a symbol of courage for other soldiers, however, for Henry,

it becomes a sign of cowardice since he received his from a fight with

another union soldier after deserting.

The flag – The flag carried during battle

is a sign of an army?s place in the battle. It also displayed the

courage of the person who had to carry it since the flag bearer must always

stand at the front lines.

Two or three sentences on style

Crane?s style is short and simple.

His sentences are not long or flowery. Although he does not use very

many figurative devices, his writing is easy to understand making reading

quick and easy.

One or two sentences on dominant philosophy

The dominant philosophy in this book was

that Henry and his fellow soldiers were not in complete control of their

actions during the heat of battle. They fought despite the risk of

death not because of their love for their country but for adrenaline, while

the soldiers who deserted did so not because of apathy for their country,

but for the fear of the moment.

Four short quotations typical of the work.

(Include speaker, occasion)

?He felt a quiet manhood, nonassertive,

of sturdy and strong blood.? Henry becomes a man after fighting courageously

in battle.

?The landscape gave him assurance… it

was the religion of peace.? This is an example of imagery as Crane

describes the area around the battlefield.

?There was a silence safe for the chanting

chorus of the trees.? This is another example of imagery. Crane

describes the atmosphere between shots on the battlefield.

?He, too, threw down his gun and fled.

There was no shame in his face. He ran like a rabbit.? Crane

describes the way Henry fled from battle. It was not thought out

or decided upon, but a reflexive action.