When looking at any piece of literature, it is necessary to determine the kind of language being used. In the context of biblical interpretation, the reader must discern whether a passage is written in a figurative, symbolic, scientific or straightforward manner. The reader must also keep in mind that we tend to develop patterns of interpretation based on the predominant type of text we read. For instance, if we commonly read texts that are written in a straightforward manner, we may have a bias toward interpreting Bible passages in this way as well. When reading Scripture, understanding the language of a passage may not always be intuitive and at times may require additional research of scholarly works.
In The Red Badge of Courage, when Henry wakes up in camp the day after fighting, he first think he is in a Charnel place because the sleeping men around him look dead.
