henry fleming
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Henry Fleming, commonly referred to as "the youth", is the protagonist of the novel. He is a teenager who enlists in the American Civil War against his mother's will. Henry has the mentality of an immature boy at the beginning of the novel, as he is extremely excited to enlist in the war because he dreams of becoming a celebrated war hero and dreams of battle. However, by the end of the novel, Henry becomes a mature young man through the challenges that he must overcome throughout the duration of the war.
Jim conklin
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Jim Conklin, known more commonly as "the tall soldier", is debatably Henry's main role model throughout the war. Jim and Henry are quick to establish a friendship that lasts the duration of the war before Jim's tragic death. Even though Jim is not the main character in the novel, he plays the important role as a so called "big brother" to Henry. He is someone that Henry looks up to and leans on whenever he desires. Jim is always present when Henry needs reassurance, or whenever he feels the need to ask questions. Jim is a man that Henry instills all trust in and also, he is a man that provides comfort to his younger companion. Therefore, Jim proves to be everything that Henry needs by his side during the war, which is why his death has such a dramatic impact on Henry. It is accurate to say that Jim is the closest thing to family for Henry at the war.
Wilson
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Wilson, referred to as "the loud soldier" is more of a friend to Henry than a role model. Wilson takes care of Henry however, he is not the type of person who would comfort Henry the way that Jim did. Wilson and Henry spend the last part of the novel side by side. They create an alliance and a special bond together in the sense that they fight through the last few battles together without hesitation of leaving one another. They even get special recognition from the colonel and lieutenant of their regiment for their war efforts. Wilson and Henry both live to see victory at the end of the war, as their friendship grows. Much like Henry instills trust in Jim, Wilson instills trust in Henry at the beginning of the novel when he gives Henry the yellow envelope to send to his family in case he does not make it out of the war alive. Wilson is in fact, Henry's best friend throughout the war, while Jim is more of a family member to Henry.