A character's change of opinions is one way people can connect with a character. Without a sense of connectedness to one of the story's main characters it would be hard to stay interested throughout a story. One of the ways Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage uses a character's change of opinions was through Henry. Henry goes through a few changes through the novel, and among these are his understanding of courage and manhood.
             Courage is what Henry strived for throughout the book. Henry's thoughts of courage near the beginning of the book were those of ancient Greek legends. "Still, she had disappointed him by saying nothing whatever about returning with his shield or on it. He had privately primed himself for a beautiful scene." (14) Later in the novel, Henry finally understands that courage and honor should be given to the men who believe in themselves. "It was difficult to think of reputation when others were thinking of skins." (151) Henry's opinions changed and these two quotes show it by contradicting each other. In the end Henry finally reached the courage he strived for throughout the book.
             Growing up is also one of Henry's great changes. Henry's understanding of manhood is a strong sense of self-assurance and once again, going to a war like that of the Greeks. "From his home his youthful eyes had looked upon the war in his own counter with distrust. It must be some sort of a play affair. He had long despaired of witnessing a Greeklike struggle." (12) After Wilson gave Henry a letter to his family in the case that he did not survive, Henry had to overcome his foolish confidence. "The regiment was standing at order arms at the side of a lane, waiting for the command to march, when suddenly the youth remembered the little packet enwrapped in a faded yellow envelope which the loud young soldier with lugubrious words had intruste...