The Character Of Henry Fleming In The Red Badge Of Courage

Regionalist authors, including Stephen Crane and Brett Harte, wrote about people overcoming adverse incidents they encountered. In Crane’s novella, The Red Badge of Courage, Henry Fleming must grow in courage and altruism in the face of battle. Another short story from Crane, An Episode of War, portrays a lieutenant who accepts the loss of his arm. Finally in Harte’s short story, The Luck of Roaring Camp, Kentuck changes to be a father figure for little Luck. When Henry Fleming carried the flag, the lieutenant was shot, and Kentuck attempted to save Luck, they changed in character to accommodate the dangerous situations they found. (Substitute: Another short story from Harte, The Outcasts of Poker Flat, depicts Mother Shipton who becomes selfless in order to care for the young and innocent Piney. When…Mother Shipton gave her food to Piney…)

Initially, Henry only seeks honor and glory for himself through his battles. A true test of Henry’s resolve comes when he must lead a charge as the color bearer. Boldly heading the charge, Henry finally begins fighting for his nation and his fellow troops and “he was capable of profound sacrifices and tremendous death” (118). Through encountering the evils of war, Henry develops a selfless motivation in the war. Just as Henry changes as he confronts the evils of war, the lieutenant must change to endure the suffering which transforms him. The lieutenant is shot unexpectedly by a stray bullet. An uncontrollable force altered his role in the war from soldier to amputee. Resolutely, he accepts the reality that he must lose his arm and assume a new role saying, “I don’t suppose it matters so much as all that” (PAGE). The lieutenant is another example of someone who changed due to the circumstances which influence