How Does Henry Mature In The Red Badge Of Courage

In the novel, “Red Badge of Courage”, Henry first begins as an immature, prideful, and vain boy. He is often suggested as “The youth”, if the novel. On page 42 he is related to as “the youth.” Also this reference is made on page 3 and many other pages. As Henry battles through conflict and trials, choices and consequences, we find him at the end, a young, matured man.

Henry’s choices and consequences When Henry starts out in war, he is just an immature boy. As the reader reads, they come to find that Henry mainly seemed to have enlisted just for the fact of gaining glory. As the rumors of battle begin to spread though, he begins to question himself and whether or not he will flee from a battle or stand and fight bravely. This comes

The boy

continues to be this way till what seems the middle of the novel. After fleeing a battle, leaving a

man to die, and lying, Henry finally gets back into the battle. Feeling rage against the enemy for

killing his friend Jim, Henry fights like a “wildcat”. (page 130). Instead of feeling prideful and

vain, Henry more or less feels he has awoken from a sleep. Finding himself what is called a

hero. In chapter 19, Henry and Wilson overhear a commander saying that their regiment, 304,

fights like mule drivers. When Wilson and Henry charge for battle with 304, the man that

carries their flag is shot. Wilson and Henry both rush forward and take the flag themselves,

carrying it high. Henry then in the following chapters bears the flag himself and encourages

others. Towards the end of the novel, Henry begins to think of his war experience and begins

scolding himself over it. As he thinks, he feels a feeling of manhood come over him. By this

time, the reader learns that Henry had indeed changed from a boy, to a man.

Realism, Naturalism, and Determinism Realism is VERY apparent in this novel because of the realistic features Crane uses about

It is often portrayed as glorious and extravagant in all ways around. The men’s attitudes and immaturity are also a form of realism. The horrors and struggles are not ‘glorious’ and not what Henry expected at all. Choices made by characters are also realistic as well. Most people make soldiers out to be brave and loyal, never, feeling and cowering it seems. But Henry and plenty of other men do this exact thing. Determinism can also be shown in this novel because of Henry’s reconciliations with himself after the choices he makes. An example would be when Henry flees from the battlefield, he persuades himself that the event caused him to do so and it was a worthy decision. Naturalism is a HUGE part of this story. Constantly, Henry is with a greater force in his mind that he cannot conquer. This is the thoughts of himself and his choices he’s made. The war is also a feature of naturalism. It is a bigger force then man. All three of these characteristics make up the entire story of “The Red

Badge of Courage”. It is realistic, determined, and natural. There is not a bit that can really be determined as fantasy or non-realistic.

The Red Badge of Courage is most definitely a wonderful book. It teaches anyone a lesson