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The Red Badge Of Courage Kentuck Character Change

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In most literary classics, it is very common to observe a main character that changes when faced with adverse circumstances. The character undergoes a complete transformation because of an event that affects them. However important the actual transformation is, the journey leading up to the event itself reveals the true nature of the character. From this transformation, the audience is able to see his or her heroic disposition. Henry from The Red Badge of Courage, the Lieutenant from “An Episode of War”, Kentuck from “The Luck of Roaring Camp”, and Mother Shipton from “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” all experience this complete 180 degree metamorphosis. The Red Badge of Courage presents the main character Henry, or “the youth”, as a cowardly craven of a human being who battles egoism. He believes, albeit naïvely, in traditional …show more content…

Initially introduced as a rugged prospector, he becomes a tender-hearted caregiver. Upon his first encounter with baby Luck, Kentuck develops a dislike for the child. However, his attitude changes incrementally when he and Luck begin to bond. Beginning when the baby grabs his finger, the “little cuss” has an instant connection with Kentuck, one that will develop into a loving relationship. Kentuck then begins following the new rules of cleanliness in order to hold his little friend. This small act of selflessness demonstrates the slow but positive change in his disposition. After this, Kentuck begins to appreciate things like nature and is altogether a more positive person. Finally, when disaster strikes, Kentuck makes the ultimate sacrifice to try and save baby Luck by risking his own life in the process. This extreme act of love proves his total transformation of self and comes to show that he was not fazed by the threat of death, but instead empowered by it to put everything on the line, even though it resulted in terminal

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