Henty Essay Contest Winners
THIRD PLACE WINNER
Olivia Barrow
ROLE MODELS
The Henty collection has many lessons to offer today’s boys and girls. The
historical content blended with gripping stories of brave boys and girls is an excellent
model for children of the twenty-first century. From these stories one can learn
a great deal of history and see over and over again the courage, duty, and honor
that Henty’s characters show.
Courage is a virtue clearly portrayed in the Henty books. Young boys and girls alike
should strive to be courageous. In the Reign of Terror, a story set in the
time of the French Revolution, Harry Sandwith showed courage in numerous instances.
When, for example, a huge, mad dog was charging at Jeanne de St. Caux, Harry rushed
at it and checked its charge. Later in the story, Harry risked life rescuing Jeanne
and Virginie from a sinking ship. In With Lee in Virginia, a tale of the
civil war, Vincent Wingfield aided Tony Moore, a slave, in running away. Helping
runaway slaves was a crime; nevertheless, Vincent helped free Tony from his miserable
life. James Walsham, in With Wolfe in Canada, portrayed courage when he unhesitatingly
plunged into the ocean to rescue Aggie from drowning. In The Young Carhaginian,
Malchus (who was a close relation to Hannibal, the leader of the Carthaginain army)
agreed to go on an extremely dangerous mission to Carthage. There was a great chance
that the mission would fail and result in Malchus’ death, but he fearlessly
undertook it regardless of how it might end. These young men all selflessly gave
their aid to those in need, never letting the possible consequences stop them from
undertaking the task. From these examples boys and girls are encouraged to be courageous
and fearlessly face any challenge.
The heroes in Henty’s books are always ready to do their duty. Noah Webster,
in his 1828 dictionary, defines duty as “that which a person owes to another,
that which a person is bound, by an natural or legal obligation, to pay, do or perform.”
Malchus clearly understood his duty when he discovered a plot against Hannibal,
the general of the Carthaginian army. He wisely consulted a few of his friends who
he could trust, and with their help successfully frustrated the plan. His duty was
to his general and his country. Beric, in Beric the Briton, portrayed great
courage and duty when he readily proposed a match between himself and a lion to
save young Christian. Even though he might lose his life, he knew that it was his
duty to defend the innocent Ennia because she was unable to defend herself. When
Harry Sandwith saw a gentleman being attacked, he did not delay in running to the
victim’s aid. He beat off the two villains, and in doing so, unknowingly saved
Roberspierre (a cruel heartless leader of the French Revolution) from two assassins.
He knew it was man’s duty to preserve life and order in his society.
While Henty’s heroes are always courageous and dutiful, they are also honorable.
Honor is a very important virtue, and one that is taught well in the Henty adventures.
Honor is not simply one virtue, but a mixture of many. Showing concern, mercy, humility,
and respect are all components of honor. In For the Temple, when John was
struggling under the weight of her young son. He lifted the child onto his shoulders
and relieved her of her burden. John also showed honor when his mother and fiancée
unknowingly praised him for some amazing military feats. By not telling his mother
and fiancée that it was he who had performed these acts, he displayed
great humility. Beric also displayed humility when he quietly accepted his comrades’
praise for his defeat of the powerful lion while unarmed.
Although Henty’s intended audience might have been boys, today’s
girls can profit as much from the male characters in the Henty books as boys can.
Even so, Henty’s adventures also have many courageous, dutiful, and honorable
young women. Jeanne de St. Caux, in In the Reign of Terror, showed great
courage on many occasions. When she got word that her parents had both been murdered,
she did not despair, but helped to comfort the others. When Harry could not devise
a plan to free her sister Marie from one of the French prisons, Jeanne did not panic.
Instead, she encouraged Harry and did all she could to help him think up a plan
to rescue Marie. Lucy Kingston, in With Lee in Virginia, would not betray
Vincent’s whereabouts, even at gun point. Today’s girls can follow the
example set by these virtuous young women.
These virtues of courage, duty and honor all go hand in hand. Many times an act
of courage is also and act of duty and honor. Boys and girls need these examples
of courage, duty, and honor, now as much as they did in the late 1800’s when
the Henty books were written. Our society as a whole will benefit from men and women
who grow up with Mr. Henty’s characters as their role models.
ABOUT OLIVIA BARROW
My name is Olivia Barrow. I am eleven years old. I am number three of six children.
My oldest brother is seventeen and I have three younger brothers and an older sister
besides. We are all home schooled and always have been. We are all home schooled
and always have been. My Mom’s name is Susan and my Dad’s name is David.
We all go to Triangle Reformed Presbyterian Church which is a relatively small church.
I enjoy swimming, reading, writing, and crafts. I am in the sixth grade, but do
things out of my grade. We all love each other and enjoy each other’s company.
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