Character Development: Novel Review
Novel Review: Character Development
The novels, The Red Badge of Courage' by Stephen Crane and 'The Things they Carried' by Tim Obrien, are among the best depictions of the role played by introspection in helping individuals better understand themselves. This text depicts the journey to maturity of the protagonists in both novels, and how their development contributed to the full meaning of the work.
Character Growth and Maturity during War
In the novels, The Red Badge of Courage' by Stephen Crane and 'The Things they Carried' by Tim Obrien, the authors effectively make use of introspection to depict their journey towards a greater understanding of themselves. This text demonstrates how they were able to achieve this. More specifically, it assesses how the concept of introspection has been used by both authors, and how it affected their later actions. It begins with a brief plot summary of the two stories.
The Red Badge of Courage
Plot Summary
The story centers around four members of the Union Army in the field of battle at the height of the American Civil War. The protagonist, Henry Fleming, who had been cautioned by his mother against joining the Army, stands untested at war, and finds himself questioning his own courage and potential. As the battle rages on, he is confronted with hard truths about the consequences of war, having to battle the loss of his close friend, the pain of injury, and the sight of bodies lying lifeless all over the battlefield. At first, Henry is unable to grapple with these lessons; he is frustrated and angry, and even runs from battle at some point. Later on, however, he is able to get over his fears, and to thrive as a soldier in battle -- he shows courage and is a major inspiration to other soldiers; however, he still feels guilty about deserting his regiment at the start of the war.
Character Development as the...
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