How Is Henry Presented In The Red Badge Of Courage

Within "The Red Badge of Courage", Henry, the main character, prominently displays ever-occurring acts of courage. As the prelude of war is presented within the story, Henry exudes confidence about fighting in the war. However, when he arrives and officially engages in the war, he is startled and seemingly frightened upon what he then experienced. This is understandable considering that he new to the true idea of war and later he begins to adapt to how the war is presented in a sense of casualties and other horrid events that followed. His first act of courage would be his drive into the war against the confederates and while previously he was somewhat cowardly, he would later find the initiative to fight as his squadron was labeled as being …show more content…
With this commotion, his squadron would soon follow. As he was running, he wanted to stop temporarily, however, he thought he would be trampled if he did. This action is not necessarily cowardly as he ran without an alert by the opposing adversaries. Eventually, however, Henry and his squadron discover that the enemy battalion halted and annulled their onslaught. “Since he had turned his back upon the fight his fears had been wondrously magnified. Death about to thrust him between the shoulder blades was far more dreadful than death about to smite him between the eyes.” - (Crane 45) In observation, it might seem cowardly for their fleeing from battle, it should be noted that they were not optimal in preparation. This was an astute tactic on their part. After all, if he and his allies had remained in that area, the occurrence of a problem to take effect would have increased rather significantly. This is mentioned due to the idea of Henry being depicted as being a cowardly due to he and his squadron fleeing somewhat instantaneously. That, however, is an explanation of a seemingly unjustifiable event. An instance where Henry in fact proved his bravery would be in Chapter …show more content…
As Henry tries to help his squadron in a seemingly useful construct, the end of a rifle then strikes him. Because of that he is rendered unconscious. Once he is rescued and is returned to the camp, he mentioned what had happened by his perspective and was considered a hero by his comrades. The idea of courage in this sense consists of it being insistent by Henry’s fellow soldiers. “Yer a good un, Henry. Most ’a men would a’ been in th’ hospital long ago. A shot in th’ head ain’t foolin’ business.” – (Crane 87) Necessarily speaking, his praise seems to be ill suited. Perhaps the notion of an injury begin honorable in battle was strictly presented within that era of time and beyond. Regardless, Henry’s injury did not occur in the very battle in which he had fought; rather, it would be a battle that was in occurrence not too far beyond the field in which they were already presenting their medal. However, This moment is one of the lesser exhibitions of courage. The third point might be the most perceptible in regards to courage and it is featured in Chapter