The Red Badge of Courage - Henry is No Hero Essay -- Red Badge Courage

The Red Badge of Courage - Henry is No wedge In The Red Badge of Courage, Stephen Crane explores the theme of courage and valiancy in depth. He develops these themes through the main character, Henry Fleming. Henry is a nave young domain faced with the harsh realities of war, in this book, around argue that Henry is transformed into a doughty quiet humankind while others see Henry as the equal young man who ran from battle in the beginning of the book. I think Henry doesnt change, his friendic status acquired at the end of the book isnt truly him, instead he merely is motivated by fear of destruction and being spurned by his fellow soldiers. At the beginning of the novel Henry is bilk of war he had far greater expectations of war. He wants one social function out of this experience, Glory, and he would go to any extreme to fulfill it. In battle Henry acts impulsively and is easily manipulated, he flees from battle at the sight of others running. When he re alizes his cowardice he rationalizes without end to why he ran. He justifies that nature also flees at the sight of fear when he scares a squirrel to runoff. Henry acts shallow and vain when he manipulates his friend, Wilson he uses the earn Wilson gave him as leverage if Wilson finds out Henrys crimes. His pride is restored when he finds out that he doesnt get caught. He is constantly comparing himself to others, and doesnt judge himself by the same standards as he does others. I think Henry is envious of his friends. The except thing the tattered man wanted is warm pea dope up and a warm bed, but he wants to survive to be there for his children. I think Henry admires the tattered mans selflessness and courage, he never really complained abo... ...ck at his oecumenical for calling them mule drivers by dying in battle. In reality Henry was an insignificant soldier and the General would never care whether he died in battle or not. To me, a hero doesnt try to hide be hind his insecurities, like Henry did, he faces them. In conclusion, I think Henry was not a hero in this novel, in fact I thought he acted to a greater extent like a coward. Though during brief periods of time Henry physically acted heroically, his moral character was weak, trying to cover up his psychological wounds with excuse and delusion. I think towards the end of the novel Henry abandons the notion of proper a hero, mostly because it is unrealistic. Instead, he settles with a more humble prenomen of being a man. Work Cited Crane, Stephen. The Red Badge of Courage. Logan, IA Perfection study Corporation, 1979.