The Theme Of The Red Badge Of Courage

In Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage, the major theme is connected to courage. In the beginning, the protagonist, Henry Fleming, perceives courage as a name and a reputation. He does not know the correct meaning because he thinks of the traditional Grecian courage. Throughout the story Henry goes through events that transforms the meaning of courage for Henry. Courage is originally misconceived as just a label that does not mean much, but as time goes on, Henry goes through a series of events that will completely change him into a mature and courageous man. Courage can be defined as the ability for someone to do something in the face of harm or when there is fear. It was believed that Henry would come out of war easily like a hero, not realizing that he would have to go through a variety of obstacles to do this to be courageous. His mother tries to warn him of what he should really do, but Henry still focuses in on his self centered ideas that entering the war will automatically give him an outstanding reputation. "He was welded into a common personality which was dominated by a single desire," the meaning of this quote means that Henry has an intense desire to gain reputation in the war. In his first battle, Henry was elated that he would become a hero for fighting and being a part of the war, but he failed to realize how

He can now distinguish the difference between the good and the bad. Courage to Henry is now fighting in the war against his enemy not knowing whether he will live or die fighting for his regiment. His original thought of becoming a hero in the war diminished and he became a part of something much bigger. His new mature self was now able to put his old thoughts away and focus on the present where he was a hero of the war for defending his regiment intensely and without fear. Henry went through a series of events in the war that changed him and his perspective of courage