Imperfections In 'The Red Badge Of Courage'

One makes many errors throughout his or her life, yet the way that the individual copes with their imperfections defines their other weaknesses. In most cases, imperfections are found once a single fault is discovered, which may cause the person to grow angered or fretful of their fate as the voices of the world may begin to comment on his or her flaws and it can possibly affect how that person acts in everyday situations which may suggest that the person has more imperfections than once thought. Some may seek final reasoning for their mistakes and problems, but this, in some situations, is not a very truthful or justifiable approach in the eyes of others at first observation. Throughout The Red Badge of Courage, the main character, Henry,
conveys an undeniable inability to definitively reveal his weaknesses to others and admit his flaws.

Though Henry is a child and people sometimes do not say what they mean, the author Stephen Crane uses the narrative element of dialogue to show how much Henry really hides his weaknesses from others and rejects the chance to admit his mistakes. This situation is exhibited when Henry lies about his wounds near the start of chapter thirteen.
Henry does not admit that he was in fact wounded from doing a stupid act to his comrade but instead says, “‘I got shot, too’” (Crane, 104). Henry’s fear of being seen as weak or cowardly made him forget his morals and lie to his regiment which in immature even if he is still a child. Henry is not a baby and he should be aware of right and wrong. A strong individual would have manned up during or after the battle, but instead, Henry never mans up from his fear and stays a frightened adolescent within the war. In fact, Henry does not even man up before he is in the war either. In the crucial first chapter when Henry is introduced in a flashback, he feels insulted and disappointed when his mother first tells him “The Lord’s will be done, Henry” (Crane, 8). Henry did not predict the sincerity that came with war and did not realize that he could die. He sent off unknowing and never said anything precious to his mother before leaving. He was
inconsiderate of his mother’s feelings and didn’t care one bit about how she felt. All Henry thought about was how she should have been more considerate of his own feelings and desires. He was not drafted into the war nor was he instructed to join the war. In fact, his mother was against the idea and it was his choice in the end. His childhood dreams could have influenced his idea of war, but if he really cared about the fight he would have done research to be a better soldier instead of researching ways of how not to feel guilty after running from his fears. His mother did not even try to hide war behind a pretty picture. She told him it was dangerous, but Henry was ignorant. Glory blinded Henry and he never thought he was in the wrong, so from this, Henry never was able to uncover his weaknesses and admit his flaws to others, or much more to himself.

Since actions sometimes speak louder than words, the next narrative element Stephen Crane uses to convey Henry’s hidden flaws and unaccepted imperfections are imagery, what Henry sees and partially how he acts.
Evidently, Crane uses the environment to portray emotions of characters throughout the story, mainly of Henry. For instance, in chapter three, “Absurd ideas took hold upon him” and Henry observes the setting thoroughly (Crane, 33). Henry let his imagination set free and he did not keep his head straight. If something as simple as a bird flew by, the boy could have possibly been scared. He frightened himself more in a way and it illustrates how he does have fear inside him even if that is not what he lets on. Crane especially uses imagery when in battle as in chapter twelve, Henry sees “The dragons” or more simply the ominous opponent approaching (Crane, 94). It was Henry's first battle experience, and at first sight of the enemy, he immediately saw them as unstoppable dragons. His depiction shows how cowardly Henry really was acting throughout the story. He believed he was the best until he saw the reality and ran. A brave soldier would have adapted to the battle in front of him and acknowledge the other side’s strengths, but he would have kept strong and confident of his own strengths. Henry did not leave the regiment once he knew what war was about because he did not want to be seen weak by his comrades, mother, and classmates. Even though he desired to leave, he
did not because his fear of showing his weaknesses was apparently greater than his fear of death. Henry’s pessimistic attitude is just one of his flaws, along with his fake confidence until he is shown the real opponent, moreover, the imagery in the book easily defines how Henry feels about himself and how he is in no way a formal soldier. Even after Henry is aware of his fear he still believes he is the best and attempts to hide his flaws in the most selfish ways.

If Stephen Crane’s use of dialogue and imagery were not intentional, his use of characterization certainly was as it is shown various times throughout the story and is diligently used to indicate that Henry’s personality is not one of a real, brave soldier. As previously mentioned, Henry has an inability to reveal and admit him flaws. This is also confirmed when the tattered man questioned Henry about his wounds. The innocent man just wanted to make sure Henry was okay, but instead, the only hurt that Henry really had were his feelings as he “could have strangled” the man (Crane, 84). Henry clearly could not contain his anger at himself and instead wanted to plant it onto the tattered man so he would feel better. He could not admit to the tattered man that he had run from battle and in that case, barely even have any chance to be hurt. Along with that he even fled from his fear of the tattered man uncovering his weaknesses. He flees at any open opportunity and still believes himself to be the best. In chapter fifteen he thought himself chosen by the gods as if he was a divine being. He does not even care that he ran and he thought he “fled with discretion and dignity” while the others he thought were mere mortals (Crane, 121). Through this, it is confirmed that Henry’s egotistical personality has not in the bit faded even after he encountered the war which he fled so frightened from. Henry has stayed Henry and even the trauma of war can not mystify him, to tell the truth, and admit all his faults in the story.
Henry is in no way wise or brave. He almost pretends him fleeing never happened and that it was not his fault. His will makes his ability and potential to contribute to the war useless. Some may disagree with the statement that Henry is a coward because Henry is a child, however that does not make him brave for entering the war. Just joining a strong organization does not make one stronger than the rest. Henry also entered war with the belief that war was amazing, so is he brave for joining for glory without any knowledge of the pain? Henry is not a divine being, nor is he a soldier. Henry is a selfish adolescent blinded by greed and hid behind lies.