In the first few pages of the novel, before Henry has been involved in battle, his perception of bravery and manhood are highly romanticized. The Youth first enlists in battle …show more content…
The concept of survival instincts is prevalent in the Red Badge of courage for multiple chapters, Henry inwardly battles his instincts trying to decide whether having the urge to survive at all costs is cowardly or smart. At first he decides that is animals instinctively run from danger, humans should too. The Youth accepted the fact that he ran from battle with a new found courage and pride in himself. However, this courage is short lived; Henry sees the wounded soldiers and immediately gets jealous. He ignorantly views the wounded as the happiest, and the most brave soldiers in battle. Shortly after, Henry is clubbed in the head by a fellow soldier’s rifle, and he lies to his regiment saying he got shot in the head, trying to retain whatever self confidence he has. However, this wound is not so much the red badge of courage that he longed for, but rather a convenient cover to protect the lies he builds around