Many examples of religious symbolism can be seen throughout the novel. An important symbol is Jim Conklin. Aside from the fact that both Jim Conklin and Jesus Christ share the same initials, Conklin also has other similarities to Christ in other ways. Jim, when he is dying, is described as “waiting patiently for something he had come to meet” (79). Much like the death that Jesus Christ died, Conklin accepts his death and believes that by dying he is meeting his destiny. After Conklin's death, Crane describes the sun as "glued to the sky like a wafer", and since wafers symbolize the flesh of Christ in many Christian rituals, this "red sun" in the sky can be seen to symbolize The passing of Conklin from this world to the next (80). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The "red badge" of courage, in Henry's eyes, is "a wound" that makes a soldier "peculiarly happy"; a wound that testifies to a soldier's participation in the battle (74). This means that Henry thinks of this red badge as a wound that demonstrates one's courage in battle, as he believes that courage comes from taking part in a battle and fighting for one's country. After the battle from which Henry escaped, he sees the wounded as “especially happy” (74). Henry is young and, to some extent, naive. This is demonstrated by why he engages in the war effort in the first place; “he longed to see everything” as “his mind had drawn him great pictures of extravagant colors, frightening with breathless actions” (7). He wants to be part of the war because he sees the glory in being part of it, and even though he runs away at the first sign of danger due to survival instincts, he hopes to gain glory as a soldier in the war. Therefore, he feels inadequate when he realizes that everyone else has a "red badge of courage", tries to be part of what he considers a heroic feat, but he does not. These characters are given these names to emphasize their key characteristics, and that they are ultimately all the same person; a soldier. By referring to them by their descriptive names, the author highlights a key element of their character and, by keeping the name ambiguous and vague, emphasizes their lack of individualism. The "noisy soldier" is so called because of his appropriately loud and boastful nature. Although we later learn that his name is Wilson and that he undergoes many changes over the course of the novel, we initially only know that he has a "boyish face wrapped in a joyful smile", and from the fact that he "evidently complimented himself" from the modesty of this statement", it can be deduced that he is also boastful (24,25). The Tall Soldier, or Jim Conklin, is so named because he is considered the bravest and most admired character in the novel. Many parallels are drawn between him and Jesus Christ, and the fact that people "look up" to him makes it appropriate that he is called the tall soldier. Henry is called the Younger because the book essentially chronicles his maturation from youth to manhood. At the beginning of the novel he is naive and has “big, wildly colored pictures” painted in his head of the glory of war (7). Over the course of the novel he learns that this is not true, but because he firmly believes it at first, Henry is called the young man. Henry sees the tall soldier (Jim Conklin) as a mentor, an elder who can teach him how to be a great soldier. This is demonstrated by the fact that “the tall soldier, for example, gave him a certain security” (17). In fact, throughout Conklin's presence in the novel, he acts as a teacher towards Henry, teaching him toshooting and leading him into battle among other things. But perhaps the most important lesson he teaches Henry is one about courage while dying. Jim's refusal to accept medical care and his request to “let me be” are proof that he has the courage to make the ultimate sacrifice for his country (79). This lesson is invaluable to Henry and changes him immensely. The tattered man is, for Henry, just an image of what a man should not be; this is demonstrated by the fact that “he was so enraged at the tattered man” that he left him to die (84). The Tattered Man is the embodiment of everything Henry believes a man should not be; talkative and unmanly. The kind man teaches Henry another important lesson; that kindness shouldn't be reserved exclusively for those with whom you have a connection. In the midst of war, everyone is one of two things, part of the Union or the Confederacy. There is no middle ground and there is no distinction between the people of each group; all are practically the same (see point 4). This means that kindness can and should be universal and should not only be reserved for the “same kind of person” or someone you share a bond with. This is the lesson the kind man teaches Henry. When “suddenly the young man realized that he had never seen [the kind man's] face,” he realizes what kindness truly is, and he realizes that this kindness is also an important part of being brave; he learns that those who are courageous must also lend a hand to those in need (102). Through all three of these key characters, Henry learns to be courageous and learns the true meaning of courage, being willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for those in need or for a just cause. This important idea helps develop his character immensely and leads to the changes that occur in his character throughout the book. Although they have marked differences, both Wilson and Henry make the dramatic transition from childhood to adulthood over the course of the novel. At first, both are young, naive, and childish, with a "boyish face wrapped in a joyful smile" (24). However, as the novel progresses, they both mature in profound ways. Henry takes “note of a marked change in his companion from those days of camp life” later in the story, when they are going through their maturation (114). Ultimately, their symbolic possession of the Union Flag indicates their connection through their joint maturation over the course of the novel. Crane sees a marked difference between the battle leaders and the common soldiers. Just as an employee will generally care for a company more than a manager (since a manager is simply supervising), soldiers are portrayed as more passionate about war than their officers. Crane goes so far as to describe an officer's “furious rage” and compare it to that of a “spoiled child” (42). By using a phrase like this, he suggests that the higher position of officers makes them more full of themselves and more spoiled than soldiers. In contrast, common soldiers are described, positively, as “single-minded savages,” meaning they thirst to win the war to achieve glory (43). Furthermore, while one of the commanders is unflatteringly described as “galloping, screaming,” the soldiers are described as “galloping like wild horses” (42, 41). This difference in description shows the difference Crane sees between battle leaders and common soldiers. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Using animals as symbols, Crane conveys Henry's feelings in a way.