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 Henry’s first notions of what it means to be courageous are arguably illogical and impractical, he grows through experience and reaches maturity at the novel’s conclusion.
In the first few pages of the novel, before Henry has been involved in battle, his perception of bravery and manhood are highly romanticized. The Youth first enlists in battle…
The concept of survival instincts is prevalent in the Red Badge of courage for multiple chapters, Henry inwardly battles his instincts trying to decide whether having the urge to survive at all costs is cowardly or smart. At first he decides that is animals instinctively run from danger, humans should too. The Youth accepted the fact that he ran from battle with a new found courage and pride in himself. However, this courage is short lived; Henry sees the wounded soldiers and immediately gets jealous. He ignorantly views the wounded as the happiest, and the most brave soldiers in battle. Shortly after, Henry is clubbed in the head by a fellow soldier’s rifle, and he lies to his regiment saying he got shot in the head, trying to retain whatever self confidence he has. However, this wound is not so much the red badge of courage that he longed for, but rather a convenient cover to protect the lies he builds around…
