Activity Overview
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify themes and symbols from the novel, and support their choices with details from the text.
Themes to Look For and Discuss
Redemption
While Henry flees from his first battle, as he feared that he might, he finds redemption by joining his regiment again and fighting the following day quite valiantly. He then becomes a color bearer and helps the Union troops lead a charge against Confederates hiding behind a fence. While Henry is overcome with guilt at his desertion of his comrades, he finds a way to make up for his mistake by returning and fighting again.
Defining Manhood
Henry believes that the only way to prove himself a man is to join the army and to fight successfully in a battle. When he fails, he feels that he has not only failed his comrades, but he’s failed himself as a man. He feels that the only way to maintain a semblance of his manhood is to hide his secrets. After he fights with his regiment and becomes the color bearer, he thinks to himself that he will no longer quail in the face of danger. For him, Henry now believes he has finally become a man.
Duty and Honor
Henry held back from enlisting for a long time but was finally compelled by a sense of duty to join the army and help the ailing forces. He believes that his service will instill him with honor and a sense of manhood, despite his mother’s lackluster feelings about war. When Henry doesn’t live up to the duties of a soldier, he feels as if he has dishonored not only himself but his entire regiment.
Overcoming Fear
The first part of the novel deals with Henry’s preoccupation about his fear of deserting his regiment when he finally sees real fighting. He wishes that he could share that fear and be comforted by others, but no one seems to understand the gravity of his concerns, or know how to help him. Henry’s worst fear does come true, but he is able to overcome it in the next battles, which frees him from it.
Motifs & Symbols to Look For and Discuss
The Colors
Crane repeatedly makes references to the colors red, blue, gray, yellow, and black throughout the novel. The red is usually in reference to war, representing the blood being spilled in battle. The blue is used to hue the colors of the smoke, describe the line of Union uniforms, and juxtapose the bloody battles with a shining blue sky above. The gray is reflected in both the smoke and the Confederate uniforms. The yellow is the sun shining through the darkness, and the color of honorable memories for Henry. The black is in the passion of the men, the oaths of the officers, and the soot of the soldier’s faces.
The Flag
The flag is a beacon that each side looks for when they are disoriented in battle. As long as the flag is waving, the soldiers know the battle is still being fought. Often the flag is like a soldier itself, struggling amidst the smoke and guns. For Henry who becomes the color bearer, it becomes his symbol of redemption for his cowardice the day before.
The Soldier in the Woods
After Henry deserts his regiment, he wanders into the woods. He comes into a clearing where he finds a sight that horrifies him: it is the corpse of a dead soldier, probably there for weeks. Its eyes seem to bore into Henry’s, and as he runs away, he feels sure that the corpse will yell out after him. In the corpse, he sees his worst fears.
Nature
The woods themselves seem to be a character within the novel. The woods are constantly described as speaking or humming to Henry as he walks through them. Nature is both Henry’s enemy and his friend as he uses the woods to hide, or he feels he is being betrayed by its sounds. Henry sees nature as the religion of peace, the one thing that makes sense in the midst of the chaos and bloodletting of battle.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in The Red Badge of Courage. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the theme(s) from The Red Badge of Courage you wish to include and replace the "Theme 1" text.
- Create an image for examples that represents this theme.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Theme(s), Symbol(s), and/or Motif(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. Symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story. Motifs are correctly identified as important recurring features or ideas in the story. | Most themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or incomplete. Some motifs are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. | Most themes are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most symbols are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most motifs are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. | No themes, symbols, or motifs are correctly identified. |
| Examples and Descriptions | Quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motifs that are being identified. Descriptions mostly accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s), and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are minimal, incorrect, or unrelated to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions contain inaccuracies in their explanations, or do not highlight their significance to the story. | Examples and descriptions are missing or too minimal to score. |
| Depiction | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are accurate to the story and reflect time, effort, thought, and care with regard to placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are mostly accurate to the story. They reflect time and effort put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are inaccurate to the story. The depictions may be rushed or show minimal effort, time, and care put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Most depictions are missing too many elements or are too minimal to score. Little time or effort has been put into placement and creation of the scenes. |
| English Conventions | There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions reflect careful proofreading and accuracy to the story. | There are a few errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions show accuracy to the story and some proofreading. | There are several errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. Most writing portions do not reflect proofreading or accuracy to the story. | Errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics in writing portions of the storyboard seriously interfere with communication. |
Activity Overview
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify themes and symbols from the novel, and support their choices with details from the text.
Themes to Look For and Discuss
Redemption
While Henry flees from his first battle, as he feared that he might, he finds redemption by joining his regiment again and fighting the following day quite valiantly. He then becomes a color bearer and helps the Union troops lead a charge against Confederates hiding behind a fence. While Henry is overcome with guilt at his desertion of his comrades, he finds a way to make up for his mistake by returning and fighting again.
Defining Manhood
Henry believes that the only way to prove himself a man is to join the army and to fight successfully in a battle. When he fails, he feels that he has not only failed his comrades, but he’s failed himself as a man. He feels that the only way to maintain a semblance of his manhood is to hide his secrets. After he fights with his regiment and becomes the color bearer, he thinks to himself that he will no longer quail in the face of danger. For him, Henry now believes he has finally become a man.
Duty and Honor
Henry held back from enlisting for a long time but was finally compelled by a sense of duty to join the army and help the ailing forces. He believes that his service will instill him with honor and a sense of manhood, despite his mother’s lackluster feelings about war. When Henry doesn’t live up to the duties of a soldier, he feels as if he has dishonored not only himself but his entire regiment.
Overcoming Fear
The first part of the novel deals with Henry’s preoccupation about his fear of deserting his regiment when he finally sees real fighting. He wishes that he could share that fear and be comforted by others, but no one seems to understand the gravity of his concerns, or know how to help him. Henry’s worst fear does come true, but he is able to overcome it in the next battles, which frees him from it.
Motifs & Symbols to Look For and Discuss
The Colors
Crane repeatedly makes references to the colors red, blue, gray, yellow, and black throughout the novel. The red is usually in reference to war, representing the blood being spilled in battle. The blue is used to hue the colors of the smoke, describe the line of Union uniforms, and juxtapose the bloody battles with a shining blue sky above. The gray is reflected in both the smoke and the Confederate uniforms. The yellow is the sun shining through the darkness, and the color of honorable memories for Henry. The black is in the passion of the men, the oaths of the officers, and the soot of the soldier’s faces.
The Flag
The flag is a beacon that each side looks for when they are disoriented in battle. As long as the flag is waving, the soldiers know the battle is still being fought. Often the flag is like a soldier itself, struggling amidst the smoke and guns. For Henry who becomes the color bearer, it becomes his symbol of redemption for his cowardice the day before.
The Soldier in the Woods
After Henry deserts his regiment, he wanders into the woods. He comes into a clearing where he finds a sight that horrifies him: it is the corpse of a dead soldier, probably there for weeks. Its eyes seem to bore into Henry’s, and as he runs away, he feels sure that the corpse will yell out after him. In the corpse, he sees his worst fears.
Nature
The woods themselves seem to be a character within the novel. The woods are constantly described as speaking or humming to Henry as he walks through them. Nature is both Henry’s enemy and his friend as he uses the woods to hide, or he feels he is being betrayed by its sounds. Henry sees nature as the religion of peace, the one thing that makes sense in the midst of the chaos and bloodletting of battle.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in The Red Badge of Courage. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the theme(s) from The Red Badge of Courage you wish to include and replace the "Theme 1" text.
- Create an image for examples that represents this theme.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Theme(s), Symbol(s), and/or Motif(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. Symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story. Motifs are correctly identified as important recurring features or ideas in the story. | Most themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or incomplete. Some motifs are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. | Most themes are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most symbols are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most motifs are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. | No themes, symbols, or motifs are correctly identified. |
| Examples and Descriptions | Quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motifs that are being identified. Descriptions mostly accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s), and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are minimal, incorrect, or unrelated to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions contain inaccuracies in their explanations, or do not highlight their significance to the story. | Examples and descriptions are missing or too minimal to score. |
| Depiction | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are accurate to the story and reflect time, effort, thought, and care with regard to placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are mostly accurate to the story. They reflect time and effort put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are inaccurate to the story. The depictions may be rushed or show minimal effort, time, and care put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Most depictions are missing too many elements or are too minimal to score. Little time or effort has been put into placement and creation of the scenes. |
| English Conventions | There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions reflect careful proofreading and accuracy to the story. | There are a few errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions show accuracy to the story and some proofreading. | There are several errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. Most writing portions do not reflect proofreading or accuracy to the story. | Errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics in writing portions of the storyboard seriously interfere with communication. |
How Tos about Themes and Symbols in The Red Badge of Courage
Organize a classroom discussion on how themes connect to students’ lives
Engage students by drawing personal connections between the novel’s themes and their own experiences. Relating abstract ideas to real life makes learning more meaningful and memorable.
Ask students to brainstorm examples of fear and courage from their own experiences
Encourage students to share stories where they faced fear or showed courage, however big or small. This helps them empathize with the main character and understand the novel’s message on a deeper level.
Compare the theme of redemption in the novel to popular movies or current events
Lead a discussion or quick research activity to find modern examples of redemption in media or news. Making literary themes contemporary helps students see their relevance beyond the text.
Guide students in creating a personal symbol to represent a challenge they’ve overcome
Invite students to design an original symbol (drawing or digital) that stands for a personal victory or redemption. Connecting symbolism to their own lives encourages creative thinking and reflection.
Facilitate a reflective writing exercise about duty and honor in daily life
Ask students to write briefly about a time they felt a sense of duty or did something honorable, at home, school, or in their community. Reflective writing deepens understanding of complex themes by linking literature to real-world actions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Themes and Symbols in The Red Badge of Courage
What are the main themes in The Red Badge of Courage?
The Red Badge of Courage explores key themes such as redemption, defining manhood, duty and honor, and overcoming fear. These themes follow Henry's journey as he grapples with guilt, proves his courage, and seeks personal growth during the Civil War.
How can teachers help students identify symbols in The Red Badge of Courage?
Teachers can guide students to identify symbols by encouraging them to look for recurring objects or colors, such as the flag, the colors red, blue, gray, yellow, black, and the soldier in the woods, and to support their ideas with evidence from the text.
What does the flag symbolize in The Red Badge of Courage?
The flag symbolizes hope, unity, and redemption. For soldiers, it is a guiding beacon during battle. For Henry, becoming the color bearer represents his personal redemption and newfound courage.
How does nature function as a motif in The Red Badge of Courage?
In the novel, nature acts as both a supportive character and an indifferent force. It provides Henry comfort and a place to hide, but also mirrors his feelings of isolation and reflects the chaos of war.
What is a simple classroom activity to teach themes and symbols in The Red Badge of Courage?
One effective activity is to have students create a storyboard that illustrates key themes and symbols from the novel. Students can draw scenes and write brief descriptions to show their understanding and support their interpretations with details from the text.
More Storyboard That Activities
Red Badge of Courage, The
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
