Courage And Courage In The Red Badge Of Courage

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Courage: the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery (Dictionary). Throughout the Red Badge of Courage, Henry Fleming, a young farm boy who fought for the Union, went out on the battlefield and battled his way to victory with his fellow soldiers. Henry held a prodigious amount of courage throughout the Civil War. Fleming's courageous tasks eventually paid off, by being promoted to lead one of the last battles. The courageous defeats against the Confederate soldiers resulted to the end of the Civil War and the victorious Union soldiers who can now go home to their families. Henry's injuries, his role during the battles, his loneliness, and his survival tactics all have an immense impact on how Henry fought and lived throughout the course of the Civil War. During the Civil War, injuries caused lots of damage on soldiers and their bodies. Usually, when a soldier gets severely injured, amputation was the best option. A common phrase, “Bite the Bullet”, became very prevalent upon the Civil War culture. The phrase literally meant during the amputation process, the surgeon gave an actual bullet to the soldier to bite on while his limb was being removed (Phrases). In the beginning of the novel, Henry constantly contemplated running when the battle started, or staying to fight for victory. Henry did not show any signs of courage until he steeped on the battlefield for the second time and began to fight. Injuries inflicted on Henry and his comrades drew out a lot of courage on themselves along with the rest army division. “At times he regarded the wounded soldiers in an envious way. He conceived persons with torn bodies to be peculiarly happy. He wished that he, too, ... ... middle of paper ... ...ther battle begins, but this time, Henry is prepared to fight. Henry's fighting tactics are extremely wild and is afterwards is congratulated by his lieutenant for a job well done. However,between battles, Henry and Wilson (his fellow soldier) overhear a general referring to their regiment as "mule drivers" and preparing to sacrifice them at the front line in the next battle (Crane Chapter 18). Henry accepted this challenge and thinks of it as an obstacle he desires to overcome. When the next battle starts, he and Wilson see the Union flag beginning fall. They both sprint to retrieve the flag and lead their comrades to their next fight. After the battle ended, the officers praise their courageous action (Crane Chapter 21). In the novel’s final battle, Henry captures the Confederate flag as well and helps lead the Union regiment to victory (Crane Chapter 23).

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