Red Badge Of Courage Essay -- essays research papers

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephan Crane traces the effects of struggle on a UnionSoldier, Henry Fleming, from his dreams of soldiering, to his actual enlist workforcet, and through some(prenominal) battles of the Civil War. Henry Fleming was not happy with his boring life on the farm. Hewanted to become a hero in war and be praised and honored for his glorious achievements inbattle. He knew his mother would not like to see him go to war, but it was his decision to make.He dreamed of the exciting battles of war and the thrill of marching. He didnt want to stay on thefarm living his benign life making rounds and completing chores. He made the final decision toenlist. Once enlisted though, Henry learns the truths of war its dreary, tiring, gruesome, andwell, boring. He finds he spends most of his days with simply nothing to do. He manages tomake friends with two other soldiers, privy Wilson and Jim Conklin. John Wilson is a soldier whoprotrudes a boastful, and pragmatic attitude, though he quickly falls to become a soldier ofcompassion after realizing his own mortality in battle. Wilson was as excited about going to waras Henry, while Jim, the Tall Soldier, was confident about the success of the new regiment. Jim,portrays the tall, confident, veteran soldier, undergo and shows no fear. The death of Jimleads to the downfall of Wilson, having seen that such a wise soldier can be killed, then certainlythe same fate awaited each and every other. After a few days in the regiment, Henry started to realize, that their regiment was justwandering aimlessly, going in circles, like a ample blue demonstration. They kept marching onwithout purpose, direction, and without fighting. Through time Henry started to think about thebattles in a different way, a more last and experienced way, he started to become afraid that hemight run from battle when duty calls. He felt like a servant doing whatever his superiors toldhim. When the regiment finally discovers a battle taki ng place, Jim gives Henry a little packet in ayellow envelope, telling Henry that this will be his first and last battle. The regiment managed tohold off the rebels for the first charge, but then... ...ens almost every day in every country. Some men are like Henry, lost, almost bored lookingfor something more that will give meaning to their life. Some are like Wilson, ready to fight fortheir country, keep down with political pride. Yet again, some are like Jim, older, wiser, andmaybe following paternal footsteps. No matter what the situation, no matter what the era orcentury, no matter who the soldier, you gain an experience not unlike that of Henry. This bookmay not contain the surrender of Robert E. Lee, and may not have been written in the 1860s, butit doesnt take dates and legalities to portray the emotion and truth of the Civil War. StephenCrane did just that and whether or not you are heading off to battle, I recommend this book to teach you how to look inside to your own im mortality and your own fears and strengths- theyreall there, they just need to be realized.