SYMBOLS IN ‘THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE’ THE TATTERED MAN Appearances: Chapters 8, 9 and 10 THE TATTERED MAN A nameless, dirty, and twice-shot soldier who meets Henry He asks Henry about the fighting and his non-existent wounds The tattered man works like Henry's external conscience. Henry thinks that the tattered man knows his secrets. Why? Henry is probably projecting his guilt and shame on to others. The tattered man selflessly tries to assist the wounded Jim and then needs help himself when he is on the verge of dying, • Henry deserts him: Why? • Henry’s abandoning him is an attempt to escape his own shame. • The memory of the tattered man and Henry's abandonment of him plagues Henry's conscience. • • • • • • QUOTE ANALYSIS “Because of the tattered soldier's question he now felt that his shame could be viewed. He was continually casting sidelong glances to see if the men were contemplating the letters of guilt he felt burned into his brow” Chapter 9, Page 63 In the previous chapter, a "tattered man" asks Henry if he's been wounded. Henry wasn't wounded at all. Why? He ran from the battle He immediately feels guilty. As he walks along with the other soldiers, some of who have horrific wounds, Henry feels that everyone is judging him for his cowardice. Why does he think this? • Of course, it’s imposible for anyone else to know that Henry ran away • Henry's stigma of guilt is totally internal • This passage makes an important point: Henry has seen some terrible things, but he continues to believe that fighting with one's fellow troops is the right thing to do. • • • • • QUOTE ANALYSIS “The simple questions of the tattered man had been knife thrusts to him. They asserted a society that probes pitilessly at secrets until all is apparent. ... [H]is crime ... was sure to be brought plain by one of those arrows which cloud the air and are constantly pricking, discovering, proclaiming those things which are willed to be forever hidden.” Chapter 10, Page 72-73 • Here the Tattered Man bombards Henry with questions about his war wounds. • The Tattered Man wants to know where Henry has been wounded--a question that Henry hates. Why? • Because it reminds him that he's a coward, and doesn't have wounds of any kind on his body. • The Tattered Man is an externalization of Henry's own guilty conscience. • Henry comes to despise himself for his own lack of courage during the battle and the Tattered Man continues to "attack" Henry with probing questions that reiterate Henry's cowardice. • Henry desperately wants to be seen as a heroic man by other soldiers, • The tattered Man's questions suggest that Henry is a long way from being celebrated for his bravery. • What is ironic about the way Crane describes the tattered man’s questions? • He uses harsh, militaristic language ("knife thrusts," "arrows")--even though Henry has fled from the literal battle, he's entered into a metaphorical "battle" for recognition. CORPSES COLOURS FLAGS WOUNDS NATURE 5 PARAGRAPH ACADEMIC ESSAY: SYMBOLISM IN THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE • Choose 3 symbols from the novel and write a 700 word essay. • Include an introduction, three main paragraphs and a conclusion. • Your essay should contain a breakdown of 3 symbols of your choice. Analyse each symbol and include some examples from the novel. You should include at least one quote regarding each symbol. • Your essay must be referenced in the APA style and include an appropriate bibliography. We will review the APA referencing standard in class. • Wikipedia is not a viable academic resource. PLAGIARISM WILL RESULT IN AN IMMEDIATE ZERO AND A DISCIPLINARY MEETING
