Henry's Transformation In The Red Badge Of Courage

For a soldier to be called as an honored hero, he needs to show the best of him in loyalty to the country and to the regiment, team spirit, and discipline. The soldier is country’s flag carrier; in order for a soldier to freely carry the flag of his country, he accepts the fact to risk his life and to give away all the pleasures of life to achieve his goal of protecting the country. The soldier is exemplifying the inspiration to the young of nation. In “The Red Badge of Courage” book, the main character, Henry, has been working on being called a hero and overcoming all of his fears and self-doubts thus far throughout the chapters. Henry’s reactions in the first battle in chapter five are contradicting his reactions toward the battle in chapter

Henry showed the reader the reader the transformation from a fearful, doubtful, and coward man, who seemed obligated to be a part of his regiment, to a secure, aggressive, and well trained soldier who is proud to be a part of his regiment. With believing in himself, Henry was able to take the first step in the way of achieving his goal. In chapter five, Henry felt the urge of acting as a responsible soldier and a strong fighter who is willing to be called an effective member of the regiment. From the novel, when Crane, the author, said “Henry became not a man but a member. He felt that something of which he was a part – a regiment, and army, a cause, a country – was in a crisis. He was welded into a common personality which was dominated by a single desire”, it proves that his ego, as most of human beings, needed to be pushed to the trouble so he can show his hidden strength and power of being an effective and strong soldier among his regiment. Henry stood up, fought, and took the responsibility of defending his regiment and repelling the

Henry’s change and panic state were due to his refuse to the fact of recognizing the quick regrouping of his enemies. When Crane, the author, said “Henry waited as if he is expected the enemy to suddenly stop, apologize, and retire bowing. It was all a mistake”, he reflected the confusion and the questioning state of Henry. Henry was comparing his enemies quick regrouping to fight again to his regiment’s reaction of refusing to regroup and fight again after winning the first battle. Also, Henry’s thoughts of negativity showed an increase in his fears of the enemy that affected him physically as Crane explained “He began to exaggerate the endurance, the skill, and the valor of those who were coming. Himself ruling from exhaustion, he was astonished beyond measure at such persistency.” Based on the explanation of his state of fears and his refuse the fact of facing the regrouping of his enemies, Henry chose to quit the second battle and ran from facing his