In the novel The Red Badge of Courage, by Stephan Crane, the author uses symbolism to illustrate the main character's actions and the setting scenario. Henry Fleming, the protagonist of the novel, cannot decide whether he will be a hero or whether he will fall like a coward. The symbolism used in The Red Badge of Courage represents Henry's decision to fight with pride and how common objects mean more than they seem. Stephan Crane was born in 1871 in New Jersey. At the age of twenty-two she published her first novel, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets. Crane later wrote sketches and short stories for New York newspapers. It was not until his second novel, The Red Badge of Courage, was published in 1895 that he became a famous author. He died at the age of twenty-eight in 1900. He is one of the best-known American authors who wrote about naturalism. (Hafer)Stephan Crane's novel The Red Badge of Courage is about a vast decision the main character faces. Henry Fleming is a young man, called "the young man" or "Flem", who has just joined the Union army. The novel first begins when Henry's regiment rests on the riverbank. Rumors are circulating around the campsite that they will soon enter the battle. Once done, the regiment begins to hear the distant sounds of the battlefront. It's Henry's first battle and he's terrified. He asks his friend, Jim Conklin, if he would run from the fight. Jim tells Henry that if the regiment runs, then he will run too, but if they stay, then he will stay and fight alongside them. The regiment finally enters the battle and begins to fight. Afterward, Henry is proud and can't believe he survived his first encounter. After a short nap, Henry wakes up... middle of paper... full of courage (Ford 168-169) (Hoffman 129-131). Works Cited Conrad, Joseph. “His War Book: Stephan Crane,” Latest Essays: 1926. Rpt in TCLC. Detroit: Gale, 1989. Crane, Stephan. The red badge of courage. New York: Tom Doherty, 1987. Ford, Madox. “Stephan Crane: Symbolism,” The American Mercury: 1936. Rpt in TCLC. Detroit: Gale, 1989.Hafer, Carol B. “The Red Badge of Absurdity: The Irony in 'The Red Badge of Courage,'” Bloom's Major Novelists: Stephen Crane: 2002. Infobase publishing.Hoffman, Michael J “From Realism to Naturalism,” The Subversive Vision: American Romanticism in Literature: 1972. Detroit: Gale, 1989. Pizer, Donald. “‘The Red Badge of Courage’: Text, Theme, and Form,” South Atlantic Quarterly: 1985. Detroit: Gale, 1989.