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How Does Frederick Douglass Use Fear In The Red Badge Of Courage

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Would it be possible to live without fear? Can fear change one's perspective on life? Fear is defined as an unpleasant emotional feeling caused by belief in the possibility of danger or pain. No matter how big or small, everyone has fears. In the “Slave Narrative of Frederick Douglass” written by Frederick Douglass and the 1951 John Huston film The Red Badge of Courage, a person's fear has a profound impact on them. This essay is meant to demonstrate the types of fears featured in these compositions and how it affects the characters. Literary works like these illustrate how fear can have a powerful physical, psychological, and emotional grip on individuals. Fear can be a physically exhausting disadvantage for a human’s body. Too much fear …show more content…

This trepidation causes him to run midbattle for safety. Both examples from these literary works show the pain and harm resulting from a mental effect. These outcomes of fear end up showing readers and watchers how strong Frederick and Henry are. When fear and emotions combine a deadly weapon is acquired. An emotion as basic as fear exists in every human being. A single emotion like fear triggers a multitude of emotions, causing panic. Despite Douglass’s and Henry's fears, they persevered for their own reasons. Frederick Douglass wrote his narrative to show people what it was like to be a slave and all the hardships that came along with it. He had a strong will to survive and was emotionally exhausted, but he wanted to earn equality and be the first step toward abolishing slavery. In Henry’s case, he was scared of being sent to war because he feared disappointing his mother and not showing courage on the battlefield. Henry's goal in the film was to prove he wasn't scared and would fight courageously. Later in the film, it is discovered that he runs away, midbattle, driven by terror. As a means of feeling respect and glory, he wanted to fight. As a result of his participation, Henry thought

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