"frank and pragmatic" and "embodies liberal virtues of individual courage and accomplishment." He is positioned as an idealised image of British boyhood: noble, virtuous, intelligent, and self-sufficient. Conventions of the genre present in the novel include the boyhood adventures Harry embarks upon while living at the St. Caux chateau, Harry’s brave and quick-witted rescues of the St. Caux daughters as he helps them flee to England, and the commentary on British and French class structures and the superiority of British masculinity and strength. Style Henty's historical adventure novels were primarily written for children, which is reflected in his simplistic writing style and straightforward narrative. The plot, while at times complex and detailed, relies on constant forward action interspersed with brief introspections from the main character. Although many characters are violently killed in the novel, the accounts are primarily second-hand and Henty describes the events in sparse detail. The novel focuses primarily on Harry's courage, self-determination, and pluck, and the events of the novel centre on his struggles and daring adventures. Themes Nationalism Like many of Henty's texts, In the Reign of Terror emphasises British nationalism and derides the French nation as weak, frivolous, and lacking in masculine strength and independence. Henty's novels often portray young protagonists who "retain their essential Britishness years after leaving Britain and their families." Harry, as a representative of British culture, is upstanding, courageous, tenacious, and determined in the face of hardship. The novel depicts the French Revolution in highly negative and conservative terms, emphasising the ever-increasing violence and chaos and introducing numerous secondary characters who hate the Revolution and its proponents. Supporters of the Revolution are portrayed as universally bloodthirsty and out of control, and the French nation as a whole is said to be descending into madness while Britain stands as a stalwart symbol of imperial strength. Henty's adventure novels "have been examined by a number of historians, all of whom agree that his books reflected and reinforced imperial sentiments," and nationalism is a common theme in his work. Boyhood and Masculinity Harry Sandwith is positioned as the paragon of British boyhood, combining physical strength and manly ruggedness with courage, modesty, and integrity. Harry engages in several boyish adventures while living at the St. Caux chateau: He heroically leaps to the aid of Jeanne and Virginie when they are attacked by a rabid dog, and he and Ernest succeed in killing the Demon Wolf,