Literary Aspects in The Red Badge of Courage
The Red Badge of Courage, written by Stephen Crane, is an American classic about the Civil War. This novel was “his most enduring and influential work” (Fusco xviii). Combining Realism and Naturalism, Crane creates a story that is realistic yet reflects the characteristics of Naturalism. Its setting takes place during the Battle of Chancellorsville, the fight that the Confederates won. Crane narrates the story of Henry Fleming, a youth who dreams of becoming a soldier in the war. Understandably, once Henry enlists as a soldier, he realizes that war is not as glamorous as it seems. Henry experiences many different situations, which prompt different personalities to appear. Crane utilizes the paradoxical …show more content…
The first paradox in Crane’s novel is the fear and courage Henry displays on the battlefield. A perfect example of fear is when he runs from battle. During the charge of the enemy, Henry remembers becoming petrified where he stood and watching other soldiers throwing down their weapons and running. Then, he did just that. Crane writes that “[Henry], too, threw down his gun and fled. There was no shame in his face” (41). In the beginning, he leaves against his mother’s wishes of enlisting in the army, and now he is running from it! He even thinks he is being forced to enlist; that it is not of his free will. Another situation that shows Henry’s fear is when he abandons the tattered soldier. The scene starts out with the tattered man walking alongside Henry in a field. Gathering his courage, he asks, “Was pretty good fight, wa’n’t it?” (Crane 52). Embarrassed and afraid, Henry panics and leaves the delirious soldier wandering in the field, all alone. He leaves the soldier because he does not want to explain to anyone why he was not hit or what he thought of the battle. The youth flees from the …show more content…
He also presents his boy-like personality maturing into his manhood. One of the first examples of his gullibility is when he informs his mother he is going to enlist in the army. His mother protests, “Henry, don’t you be a fool” (Crane 6). Despite his mother’s discouragement, Henry enlists anyway. From the start, Henry displays his selfishness and jealousy, wanting what he wants and coveting what he does not have. Another situation that shows Henry’s self-centeredness is when his friend Wilson gives him the yellow packet. Instead of treasuring what his friend gave him, he thinks about using it as blackmail to gain something for himself. From that self-centeredness, Henry slowly transforms into a caring individual. One example of that is when he sees Jim, his mentor, injured, he becomes concerned. Jim Conklin had taken Henry under his wing when Henry first joined the regiment. John J. McDermott states, “Jim Conklin, simple, loyal, and limited, continues to function as Henry Fleming’s search for courageous manhood” (325). Jim was Henry’s role model. Tragically, Jim dies from his wounds, leaving Henry speechless and confused. The poor youth is left standing there next to the tattered soldier. This is a mature action, considering some of Henry’s other situations. At least he is concerned for his friend’s sake. He could have ignored Jim and told him to fend for
The Red Badge of Courage, written by Stephen Crane, is an American classic about the Civil War. This novel was “his most enduring and influential work” (Fusco xviii). Combining Realism and Naturalism, Crane creates a story that is realistic yet reflects the characteristics of Naturalism. Its setting takes place during the Battle of Chancellorsville, the fight that the Confederates won. Crane narrates the story of Henry Fleming, a youth who dreams of becoming a soldier in the war. Understandably, once Henry enlists as a soldier, he realizes that war is not as glamorous as it seems. Henry experiences many different situations, which prompt different personalities to appear. Crane utilizes the paradoxical …show more content…
The first paradox in Crane’s novel is the fear and courage Henry displays on the battlefield. A perfect example of fear is when he runs from battle. During the charge of the enemy, Henry remembers becoming petrified where he stood and watching other soldiers throwing down their weapons and running. Then, he did just that. Crane writes that “[Henry], too, threw down his gun and fled. There was no shame in his face” (41). In the beginning, he leaves against his mother’s wishes of enlisting in the army, and now he is running from it! He even thinks he is being forced to enlist; that it is not of his free will. Another situation that shows Henry’s fear is when he abandons the tattered soldier. The scene starts out with the tattered man walking alongside Henry in a field. Gathering his courage, he asks, “Was pretty good fight, wa’n’t it?” (Crane 52). Embarrassed and afraid, Henry panics and leaves the delirious soldier wandering in the field, all alone. He leaves the soldier because he does not want to explain to anyone why he was not hit or what he thought of the battle. The youth flees from the …show more content…
He also presents his boy-like personality maturing into his manhood. One of the first examples of his gullibility is when he informs his mother he is going to enlist in the army. His mother protests, “Henry, don’t you be a fool” (Crane 6). Despite his mother’s discouragement, Henry enlists anyway. From the start, Henry displays his selfishness and jealousy, wanting what he wants and coveting what he does not have. Another situation that shows Henry’s self-centeredness is when his friend Wilson gives him the yellow packet. Instead of treasuring what his friend gave him, he thinks about using it as blackmail to gain something for himself. From that self-centeredness, Henry slowly transforms into a caring individual. One example of that is when he sees Jim, his mentor, injured, he becomes concerned. Jim Conklin had taken Henry under his wing when Henry first joined the regiment. John J. McDermott states, “Jim Conklin, simple, loyal, and limited, continues to function as Henry Fleming’s search for courageous manhood” (325). Jim was Henry’s role model. Tragically, Jim dies from his wounds, leaving Henry speechless and confused. The poor youth is left standing there next to the tattered soldier. This is a mature action, considering some of Henry’s other situations. At least he is concerned for his friend’s sake. He could have ignored Jim and told him to fend for