Henry Fleming Character Analysis
Henry Fleming enlisted in the war believing he would gain great notoriety and honor. He learned that war is not what the movies and books show it to be. Fleming began his journey as a coward who ran from battle and did not stand his ground against the enemy. The Veteran introduced Henry after the war and showed how he had matured and prospered in the latter part of the war. Henry Fleming transformed from the young frightened solider that was seen in The Red Badge of Courage to the courageous and honorable man shown in The Veteran. Henry Fleming entered the war against his mother’s wishes. He believed that he would prosper and gain honor as a solider. “He had, of course, dreamed of battles all his life (Thoughtco.com). Henry believed in the
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romantic views of war and did not accept the frightening reality. He was very young and immature and was not ready for the bitterness of war. Henry became very frightened of battle as it approached and began to become very paranoid. He did not enjoy the environment of the regiment; his fear consumed him. He stooped as low to believe that being killed directly would be easier than facing the reality in which he is placed.
The first battle showed Henry’s true immaturity when he abandoned his group and ran. The thought of honor and duty escaped from Henry’s mind and the only thing important to him was his personal safety. He believed he made a rational decision by running, which is a fabricated story made in his head. Henry Fleming abandoned the tattered solider for selfish reasons. He wanted to avoid questions about his head wound. He was self-consumed and committed many selfish acts.
Henry Fleming was a coward. The self-absorption of Henry kept him from joining battle even when he wanted to. He suffered from the accidental head wound, but was ashamed because he had dreamed of glory and true battle wounds. Wilson was a solider in the regiment and he asked Henry to hold letters to his family in case he did not survive. Wilson showed weakness which helps Henry gain confidence. Henry finally faced the fact that he would either kill or be killed and begins to gain anger against the enemy. Henry entered a form of metamorphosis and changed his “innocence to experience and his doubt to duty” (Vogel 52). War changed Henry from being the runner to leader. He is honored with the privilege of bearing the flag. The flag bearer was the sign of bravery and courage. The transformation of his attitude and mental stability changed him from child to man. The Red Badge of Courage focused on the psychological impact of war on the soldiers. Henry seemed to mature but it may simply be “a moment of calm in a large storm” (LitCharts).
Mr. Fleming was the main character of The Veteran and was the later version of the soldier Henry. He was admired and called a hero by his community and closest friends. Henry Fleming spent time talking with his friends about his experiences of war. He admitted to his terror at his beginning battles. He believed the sky was falling and everyone was shooting at him during the first battle. Jimmie, his grandson, did not skip home; instead he walked soberly. He thought his grandpa was extraordinary and was extremely frightened when he learned Henry ran at his first battle. “Why, yes that was true enough Jimmie, it was my first fight and there was an awful lot of noise” (Crane 45). He was honest even when the truth did not bring him honor. Henry adjusted to war and grew into a heroic solider as well as the leader of his regiment. The evening of the fire at the barn, Henry did not hesitate to spring into action. “Why, it’s sure death! He would never get out! It’s suicide for a man to go in there” (Crane 34). The flames nor the statement of the people scared Henry; he was the paradox of bravery and courage. Henry saved many animals and never thought once of his own safety or wellbeing. He emerged from the barn after saving several animals, soon he realized he had burned all his hair and his clothes were on fire. Henry reentered the barn to save the Swede, but when he did the ceiling collapsed. Henry’s unbelievable heroism eventually took his life. The life of Henry was spent trying to good for others and showing his big spirit. Henry Fleming placed himself in the line of danger to save others.
He underwent a gigantic change from a solider to a veteran. The spirit of care lived in Mr. Flemings noble soul (Crane 36). The Red Badge of Courage and The Veteran both show the beneficial effects on the war instead of the destruction. He has grown old but still shows his amazing qualities of bravery, courage, honesty, and thoughtfulness. “Heroes can appear at all ages” (Prezi.com).
Henry, in the form of the young and newly enlisted soldier was a coward who constantly struggled with inner conflict. He feared losing his life and could not overcome his terror. Henry Fleming longed for bravery and honor but continuously was deterred from joining his regiment in battle. War was romanticized for Henry before enlisting and he could not face the cruel reality. Henry underwent a strong change throughout the war and became an honorable man. Mr. Fleming showed his bravery by saving the animals, even when it meant sacrificing his own life (Vogel 54).
Mr. Fleming was a brave and heroic veteran. He admitted to the town and the people he loved the most that he used to be a coward. He disappointed his grandson with his honesty, but was courageous enough to tell the absolute truth. Henry in The Red Badge of Courage was a coward in every aspect. He was scared to accept the fact of possible death or face the harsh
reality.
Henry was viewed as a coward and a weak link in The Red Badge of Courage. He regained the respect of his soldiers eventually by becoming a leader. Some of the town believe Mr. Fleming used to be a hero and are sometimes very critical by referring to him as simply an old man. He still had all the heroism and great qualities he once had.
The Red Badge of Courage and The Veteran had many differences but also one constant similarity. The stories each tell the story of Henry Fleming’s transformation (Vogel 33). Young Henry did not have the courage to fight and ran at every turn. He was self-absorbed and cared more for himself than he did the people around him. Jim Conklin, his close friend died and Henry was not affected. He was a coward who tried to hide from his problems instead of facing them. Elder Henry is a courageous veteran who cared about the wellbeing of his loved ones and everyone around him (Prezi.com). Henry Fleming entered the burning barn to save animals, where younger Henry probably would not have entered to save his closest loved ones. Mr. Fleming was not scared of danger or the thought of death; he would place himself in the line of fire for anybody.
Henry and Mr. Fleming were physically the same, but mentally two completely different beings. Henry Fleming underwent an extreme transformation from a scared youth to a courageous veteran. The change throughout the life of Henry showed his maturity and difference of attitude toward war and all other aspects of life. Henry gained the red badge of courage and honor that he had always longed for. He became an honorable, strong, courageous, and caring man throughout his lifespan. Henry Fleming became a true hero and a notable example of courage.
romantic views of war and did not accept the frightening reality. He was very young and immature and was not ready for the bitterness of war. Henry became very frightened of battle as it approached and began to become very paranoid. He did not enjoy the environment of the regiment; his fear consumed him. He stooped as low to believe that being killed directly would be easier than facing the reality in which he is placed.
The first battle showed Henry’s true immaturity when he abandoned his group and ran. The thought of honor and duty escaped from Henry’s mind and the only thing important to him was his personal safety. He believed he made a rational decision by running, which is a fabricated story made in his head. Henry Fleming abandoned the tattered solider for selfish reasons. He wanted to avoid questions about his head wound. He was self-consumed and committed many selfish acts.
Henry Fleming was a coward. The self-absorption of Henry kept him from joining battle even when he wanted to. He suffered from the accidental head wound, but was ashamed because he had dreamed of glory and true battle wounds. Wilson was a solider in the regiment and he asked Henry to hold letters to his family in case he did not survive. Wilson showed weakness which helps Henry gain confidence. Henry finally faced the fact that he would either kill or be killed and begins to gain anger against the enemy. Henry entered a form of metamorphosis and changed his “innocence to experience and his doubt to duty” (Vogel 52). War changed Henry from being the runner to leader. He is honored with the privilege of bearing the flag. The flag bearer was the sign of bravery and courage. The transformation of his attitude and mental stability changed him from child to man. The Red Badge of Courage focused on the psychological impact of war on the soldiers. Henry seemed to mature but it may simply be “a moment of calm in a large storm” (LitCharts).
Mr. Fleming was the main character of The Veteran and was the later version of the soldier Henry. He was admired and called a hero by his community and closest friends. Henry Fleming spent time talking with his friends about his experiences of war. He admitted to his terror at his beginning battles. He believed the sky was falling and everyone was shooting at him during the first battle. Jimmie, his grandson, did not skip home; instead he walked soberly. He thought his grandpa was extraordinary and was extremely frightened when he learned Henry ran at his first battle. “Why, yes that was true enough Jimmie, it was my first fight and there was an awful lot of noise” (Crane 45). He was honest even when the truth did not bring him honor. Henry adjusted to war and grew into a heroic solider as well as the leader of his regiment. The evening of the fire at the barn, Henry did not hesitate to spring into action. “Why, it’s sure death! He would never get out! It’s suicide for a man to go in there” (Crane 34). The flames nor the statement of the people scared Henry; he was the paradox of bravery and courage. Henry saved many animals and never thought once of his own safety or wellbeing. He emerged from the barn after saving several animals, soon he realized he had burned all his hair and his clothes were on fire. Henry reentered the barn to save the Swede, but when he did the ceiling collapsed. Henry’s unbelievable heroism eventually took his life. The life of Henry was spent trying to good for others and showing his big spirit. Henry Fleming placed himself in the line of danger to save others.
He underwent a gigantic change from a solider to a veteran. The spirit of care lived in Mr. Flemings noble soul (Crane 36). The Red Badge of Courage and The Veteran both show the beneficial effects on the war instead of the destruction. He has grown old but still shows his amazing qualities of bravery, courage, honesty, and thoughtfulness. “Heroes can appear at all ages” (Prezi.com).
Henry, in the form of the young and newly enlisted soldier was a coward who constantly struggled with inner conflict. He feared losing his life and could not overcome his terror. Henry Fleming longed for bravery and honor but continuously was deterred from joining his regiment in battle. War was romanticized for Henry before enlisting and he could not face the cruel reality. Henry underwent a strong change throughout the war and became an honorable man. Mr. Fleming showed his bravery by saving the animals, even when it meant sacrificing his own life (Vogel 54).
Mr. Fleming was a brave and heroic veteran. He admitted to the town and the people he loved the most that he used to be a coward. He disappointed his grandson with his honesty, but was courageous enough to tell the absolute truth. Henry in The Red Badge of Courage was a coward in every aspect. He was scared to accept the fact of possible death or face the harsh
reality.
Henry was viewed as a coward and a weak link in The Red Badge of Courage. He regained the respect of his soldiers eventually by becoming a leader. Some of the town believe Mr. Fleming used to be a hero and are sometimes very critical by referring to him as simply an old man. He still had all the heroism and great qualities he once had.
The Red Badge of Courage and The Veteran had many differences but also one constant similarity. The stories each tell the story of Henry Fleming’s transformation (Vogel 33). Young Henry did not have the courage to fight and ran at every turn. He was self-absorbed and cared more for himself than he did the people around him. Jim Conklin, his close friend died and Henry was not affected. He was a coward who tried to hide from his problems instead of facing them. Elder Henry is a courageous veteran who cared about the wellbeing of his loved ones and everyone around him (Prezi.com). Henry Fleming entered the burning barn to save animals, where younger Henry probably would not have entered to save his closest loved ones. Mr. Fleming was not scared of danger or the thought of death; he would place himself in the line of fire for anybody.
Henry and Mr. Fleming were physically the same, but mentally two completely different beings. Henry Fleming underwent an extreme transformation from a scared youth to a courageous veteran. The change throughout the life of Henry showed his maturity and difference of attitude toward war and all other aspects of life. Henry gained the red badge of courage and honor that he had always longed for. He became an honorable, strong, courageous, and caring man throughout his lifespan. Henry Fleming became a true hero and a notable example of courage.