Themes, Motifs, and Symbols

Courage-Henry develops this during battle.

Manhood-Henry and Wilson mature thorough their brave actions in battle.

Self-preservation-Henry runs from the first fight because he thinks they will be slaughtered.

Disregard for Human Life-Henry realizes this when he is going crazy and shooting the Rebels. He doesn't see them as men anymore.

Noise and Silence-during their charge Henry says that he can see a lieutenant who is screaming orders but he can't hear him. He also points out how quiet it is between charges and how he can hear other fights farther away.

Light and Dark-Henry is able to run through the forest when he can see and is able to stay out of trouble. When it gets dark he has to slow his pace down and he has to be helped by another soldier.

Clean and Dirty-Henry sees other soldiers faces during the fights, and by how black they are you can see how they are fighting. Because when you shoot your gun the gun powder turns your face black. When Henry came back to camp after running his face wasn't black so they could see that he didn't .

Youth and Maturity-In the beginning of the book Henry is often called the Youth. But after he fights very well everyone calls him Henry instead of the Youth to show is manhood.

The Dead Soldier-While Henry is walking after he ran from the fight. He sees a dead soldier who is sitting by a tree. He walks around the man but as he does it he almost feels afraid to take his eyes off of the soldier because he thinks he might run after him.

The Flag-While they are fighting he sees they flag almost as a living thing. The higher it is the better the battle is going. He sees that when the rebels are losing the fight that their flag is very low. I think that is why when the soldier holding the American flag is shot, Henry and Wilson go and pick it up. Henry grabs it and carries it during their heroic charge.