In the story Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane, Henry Fleming joins the war with the hope of becoming a hero, although Henry shows no sign of heroism throughout the story. In fact, Henry shows traits of cowardice in a multitude of ways during his experiences at war. Henry's high expectations for himself do not make up for his actions in Red Badge of Courage.
Despite Henry's high ego, dialogue in Red Badge of Courage reveal his cowardly true nature. Henry saw himself as a hero before he got into a battle, but when faced with the reality of war, his imaginations did not come true. For instance, during the march to battle, Henry was continuously complaining about how all the walking was tiring him out and that it was all for nothing. Henry said, “I can't stand this much longer, I don't see what good it does to wear out our legs for nothin’” (Crane 35). Henry knew what he was signing up for when he joined the army, yet in difficult conditions he lacked the motivation to keep going. Another scenario of cowardice shown through dialogue was when Henry was complaining about always losing battles and blaming it on his generals. Henry explains how he does not see any sense in “fighting and fighting and fighting yet always losing through some derned old lunkhead of a general” (Crane 126). Instead of staying strong and trying to find ways to make things
…show more content…
Although some may say that Henry is brave for joining the war at such a young age, Henry joined the war not thinking of his country, but thinking of the reputation it would give him. Cowardice can be defined in many ways, some may say it means to be afraid and not have the willingness to overcome fears, others may say it means to only think about yourself in dangerous situations. Whatever the meaning, Henry fits all criteria, and his moments of “bravery” are only the moments that Henry was in danger and only thought about saving
The reason Henry reacts that way becasue he didn't want to look bad in front of his regiment. He also felt like he was a cog in a machine when he was fighting in the first battle. He flees in the second battle since he thought that they were going to lose the battle. He also didn't feel like he was ready for a second battle. He decided to flee when he saw his men running out of their lines and fleeing away from the battle.
Henry was a novice fighter coming into his first battle, Battles can be scary especially being new to it and not having experience. The first battle made Henry nervous. Henry didn't want to be a whimp and run again so he fought. He had to show he was not a weak soldier. Henry wasn't expected to be a great soldier at first.
His repetitive questions engage his audience with his words, forcing them to recall each failed attempt at peace. He says they "have held the subject in every light... but it has been all in vain." To further prolong the colonists' failed methods, Henry uses an anaphora that lists each failure and blatantly shows the obviousness of the situation and the desperation that should be felt. He stress how "there is no longer room for hope" which brings together the claim Henry makes that many want to stay away from: to fight. "We must fight!"
Over the course of my academic career, I have developed several positive traits that make make me a qualified candidate for National Junior Honors Society. My experience from being in a variety of school clubs and leadership positions has equipped me with the necessary character traits for an aspiring National Junior Honors Society member. I pride myself on being reliable, ambitious, and versatile. I have gained most of these traits through being in positions of responsibility.
Henry continues by emotionally describing how he is ready to endure any pain that will come his way from finally learning the truth. He feels he is ready to stand up and be change that must come from the colonies, despite any despair he might face. 2. “There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged!
Henry knows that the United States citizens are scared of the British troops and puts the freedom of the U.S on the line as a technique to prove that now is the perfect and best time to fight back. Another example of a rhetorical strategy is when Henry says “For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery: and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate.” Citizens are aware of the horrid and unfair treatment of slaves. Henry uses slavery to make citizens think that the more they let the British gain
Henry’s flawed nature and inner desire to be morally upright are revealed as he escapes the battle and as he justifies himself
Beowulf embodies many universal societal heroic values that are signified in the modern world like courage, bravery, and strength. In the poem, Beowulf displays courage. “Now, I mean to be a match for Grendel, settle the outcome in single combat” (Heaney 425-426). This quote shows courage because he’s telling them that he can fight Grendel and wants to weather he wins or loses.
This is a clear sign that Henry was not prepared to enlist in the war and was. A true hero would have stayed through it all and would have never given up. At the beginning of the story when only wanted to go against what his mother said, he was immature and misunderstanding. Henry’s mother told him, “Henry, don’t be a fool” (Crane 4). Even though his mother attempted change his mind, the next morning he set out to enlist.
Conflict is one of the most basic elements of natural human behavior. Conflict, from a literary standpoint, serves its purpose to create tension within a story, which as a result keeps readers interested and engaged. Whether the conflict is with another person, with nature, or within yourself, it is ubiquitous and unavoidable. In Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage, the struggles that Henry faces help to give depth and meaning to the story, as well as develop Henry as a character.
King Henry is portrayed to us as the main leader within the English ranks and an important component of their strategy. One characteristic of Henry’s leadership is that he is able to forge close connections with his men. During the Battle of Harfleur, we see him describe his men as “dear
This shows that Henry is patriotic, yet still his own character. Henry is trying to grant the audience a diverse viewpoint, rather than discrediting their
In William Shakespeare’s Henry V, the character of King Henry delivers some powerful verbiage, known as St. Crispin’s Day Speech, to his troops in order to rally the men for battle. In this speech, King Henry chooses to invoke themes such as glory, religion, and comradery to make the battle they are about to fight immortal in the soldiers’ minds and to motivate them to fight together. These themes draw similar emotions in all men, no matter their background; all men have the need for honour, the urge to please the deity they believe in, and the need to trust in their fellow men. Every man wants his story to be remembered.
This illustrates how Henry believes in the importance of himself, it amazes him that nature is so ignorant or oblivious to the obvious terror and “devilment” around him. “New eyes were given to him. And the most startling thing was to learn suddenly that he was very insignificant.” (Crane 100). At this point in the novel, Henry realizes his insignificance, that even war is not the biggest thing in the entire universe in natures eyes.
Along the journey from home as they go to Washington, Henry and his regiments are treated so well that he now believes “he must be a hero” with “the strength to do mighty deeds of arms.” Contrary to his expectation he does not become a hero immediately he is confronted with self-doubt. He is caught up in a dream with “a thousand-tongued fear