Examples Of Heroism In The Red Badge Of Courage

In the novel Red Badge of Courage, Crane depicted the main character Henry as a callow youth who recently joined the Union army for the sake of his naive conception of heroism plus the quest for honor. Thus, in the beginning, Henry fought along with other comrades during the first battle. Although he bosomed the sentiments as fear and uneasiness, everything was still new to him and it left him no time to react on his guts. However, after the early round of brutality, Henry savvied right enough that the reality and cruelty of the war would eventually end his life therefore he was intimidated, and it led him to flee from the second scene.

When the youth was initially introduced in the first couple chapters, he kept reminiscence of his conversation
with his mother before the departure and he berried all dark deep feelings, mixed by guilt, nostalgia and conceit etc. He admitted, "He wished, without reserve, that he was at home again making the endless rounds." Even though, Henry was actually driven away by this kind of life "from the house to the barn, from the barn to the fields", he still missed "the halo of happiness". (Chapter 2) But as telling, the youth had no way back. He was confronted by no option. And all the negativities he had, had to convert into the eager for pride that he dreamt, by anaesthetizing himself, for as one day, he would return as a war hero and make his mother so proud of him. So under the stage of numbness and frightened, the war began.

It happened so fast that during the first battle Henry "suddenly lost concern for himself".
He stood up regarding himself as a member of, this regiment, and this army also this country. He put his threatening destiny off. Hence, during that period, Henry could not "flee no more than a little finger can commit a revolution from a hand." (Chapter 5)

While everyone was thrilled by the fact that "the supreme trial had been passed. The red formidable difficulties of war had been vanquished." Soon, of a sudden, the enemy came back in a sweeping speed. Meanwhile, the youth Henry became frozen. He was captivated by "a sort of horrified, listening attitude. " All he could do was to close firmly his eyes and "wait to be gobbled". At this time, men near Henry started to run with howls. Catching the phenomenon, Henry came to a sudden epiphany. "He, too, threw down his gun and fled. There was no shame in his face. He ran like a rabbit." (Chapter 6)

In conclusion, Henry reacted normally brave and innocent at the first battle as for he stayed and supported the regiment. Nevertheless, his fear and inner monster eventually ware released and they caught him to flee from the war when it ensued. The explanation is given based on the human nature and imperfection of the main character Henry
Fleming.