Themes Motifs and Symbols

Disregard for human life: Most of the soldiers are willing and excited to go out and fight for their country knowing it could mean death. But some.. like Henry are scared and are questioning if dying for their country would really be worth it. Henry soon realizes and sees that nature is always shining beautifully after or during battles.. he realizes in the big picture the world has greater things to worry about than some war.. and the world will go on no matter what.

Self Preservation: Well the defintion of this is an animals instinct to survived bases off fear and pain. Which is exactly Henrys problem . He is afraid of getting hurt and dying. So when the dangerous times arise and runs to seek shelter for himself. He is battling himself with his head wanting to be courageous and honorable but his body funning away from the situation.

Courage: Wow so the entire theme of the book. Henry's struggle to gain the courage he needs to be a good fighter and get reconized. But he has 180 turn around at the end. Gaining all this courage and bravery and when going as far as bearing the flag at the front of the pack. He becomes excited to fight and doesn't run away

Manhood: All Henry wants to do is be a man. This is why he enlists in the first place. He wants to have the "red badge of courage" but acts childish by running away. If you ask me he is pretty pyscho... always battling with his own mind and probably in need of some medication.. He is showing his fears but a real man would step up to the plate and fight. But finally at the end he has become a step closer to growing up. He reflexs on his experience, thinks about accomplishments, and forgives himself.. He is finally now a man.

Youth and Maturity: I think that any soldier who is put into these battles and situations at a young age like Henry is definitely forced to grow up. He is called the youth for a reason with his inexperience. But him and Wilson make huge improvements at he end. I think Henry finally wakes up and smells the roses. He come to real life and accepts that he can't act like a child. If he is in the army he is there for a reason.

Noise and Silence: hm... Henry has a lot of time of deep reflextion and self thought during the book. He hears the noise of rumors, battle, guns being shot, men screaming. The noise it what puts him over the edge into running away. When he reaces the forest he can calm down by himself and get his head back in it.

Clean and Dirty: The only part I can refer to is when henry mentions that his hat looks so brand new. And the older soldier who are experience and brave have dirty faded hats. He wants his to look like theirs and finally steps into a battle.

Flag: Henry becomes the flag bearer which is extermely important.. The flag is the biggest thing representing your country. All it's beliefs and value and shown through a countrys flag. When Henry takes control of this flag he is the one representing his side and all it stands for. This is why is it is such an accomplishment when they retrieve the other sides flag and win the war.

Dead Soldier: This is the sudden changing point for Henry and his mind. He sees the soldier dead and infested with ants. At first he doesn't want to risk his life and end up dead like that guy. But then he realizes what he wants more than anything is the red badge of courage so being able to say he was injuried while fighting for his side and beliefs and family and everyone back home. He believes it to be extremely honorable and winds up leading his men into battle carrying the flag.

Setting sun: not to sure about this but just how when so much blood is split it is representing by the sun who rises and sets red in remembrance of the war and all the men who have lost their lives.

Animal/ Blood swollen god: Realy don't know about this one.. will find out though :)

Nature- This was probably my favorite part of the book. I talked about it in most of my blogs. Henry realizes many times how nature is after a battle or men have died or anything of the such. He looks around seeing the stillness.. the perfect sky.. the perfect clouds.. the sun shining bright. Nature doesn't seem to care about what going on. Nature is going to stay the same weather 1 person dies or 1q00. I really liked this refering to how no matter what is going on in your life the world won't end everything will be ok.