In the novel The Red Badge of Courage, psychological effects of war are further dealt with and examined than the aspect of physical war tactics. The book primarily focuses on one character and struggle: the protagonist Henry’s, constant battle with himself to be courageous. As the story moves forward, Henry is somewhat fighting two battles, one physical and one mentally as he strives to prove his bravery and manhood. It is commonly debated whether or whether not Henry finally succeeds and completes his pursuit for maturity and adulthood by the end of the novel. I think that although at first Henry notions of what it means to be a courageous man are inadequate to reality, he grows through experience and reaches maturity at the novel’s conclusion.