Courage In The Story Of Henry Fleming's Courage

Henry Fleming, a young Union soldier during the Civil War. Initially, Henry is new to battle; he stands untested and questions his own courage. As the story continues, Henry faces the hard truths about the reality of war. He is confronting the universe’s indifference to his existence and the insignificance of his own life. Often holding himself higher than others, he realizes these lessons as he is running away from his first battle. He later comes back to the battle field, to thrive as a soldier in combat. Henry had already shown his interest in the army very early. He was fascinated with the glory of the military conflict. Since joining the army, he has not endured any battles yet. His regiment is simply idle, waiting for engagement of the enemy. After some time, his regiment is finally given orders to march into battle. They spent several days traveling on foot. They finally approach a battlefield and can hear the sounds of war rage in the distance. The enemy charges and Henry realizes that he is boxed in by his fellow …show more content…
He hears the sounds of a general on horseback and overhears him say that his regiment has held back enemy charges. Ashamed of himself, he attempts to convince himself that fleeing was the right thing to do. He tells himself that he needed to preserve his own life, and fleeing was necessary to do so. After some time, Henry meets a group of wounded soldiers on a winding road. He is extremely envious of the men, thinking that the wounds they carry are like a “red badge of courage.” He then meets a man who has been shot twice. This man, tattered, brags about the bravery of his regiment not fleeing the battlefield. He constantly asks Henry where he has been wounded, making Henry deeply uncomfortable. Henry meets a battered soldier, and he recognizes him as Jim Conklin. Jim wanders into the bushes, followed by Henry and the tattered man, where they watch him