In the story “The Red Badge of Courage” by Stephen Crane, Henry Fleming, is a young private who volunteered for the infantry against his mother's wishes. Having "dreamed of battles all his life," Henry has romantic notions of war influenced by Greek classics such as the Iliad. After experiencing the realities of army life, he becomes plagued by doubts and fears. As the novel progresses, Henry overcomes his fears and guilt to become one of the fiercest, most aggressive soldiers in the regimen. Henry conquers doubt and accepts duty by showing the confidence and courage to become the most aggressive soldiers in his regimen.
Henry always dreamed of battle since he was a little boy, the author refers to Henry as “the young soldier” and “the youth.” Both the best and worst characteristics of Henry’s youth mark him. Unlike the veteran soldiers whom he encounters henry is quickly overcome by doubt. Henry run away into the woods because he doesn’t think that he can do it anymore and is filled with doubt. In the beginning
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During battle Henry sees their flag bearer get wounded. He grabs the flag and carries it and then he and Wilson capture the enemy’s flag and are triumphant. During battle a screaming mob of enemy’s approaches, without waiting, Henry fires a first wild shot. Henry gets furious with the oppressive battle smoke. He fires and loads automatically without stopping. He could have got shot at any point it a lot of courage to do what henry did. During a battle Henry's regiment starts shooting, creating a wall of smoke. Henry feels like his rifle is useless. Disoriented by the noise and smoke, Henry is absorbed in the action. He stands, fires, and falls, thinking that he might have been shot. He ignores it, continuously reloading his gun to keep shooting. Feeling that the enemy might be falling back, Henry pushes forward, firing