Red Badge of Courage Critical Analysis
Red Badge of Courage Critical Analysis
Given the title, there is no wonder that the book revolves around the idea of courage--whether it is the desire for courage or ultimately achieving it. As the novel begins, Henry reflects on his definition of courage before he joined the army, where the idea of fighting on a battlefield seemed to be a struggle, yet somehow glorious. However, the youth and his comrades begin to doubt his romanticized versions of courage when they face battle for the few times. Soon, they find they are most courageous when they feel nothing except anger during battle. However, even this definition doesn’t last. Wanting to find a lasting definition of what courage is, the youth begins to dream about wearing a red badge of courage, or a wound. He even takes this one step further, also dreaming about a glorious death to give him courage. He seeks the definition from himself and soldiers around him up until the end, where he matures psychologically, and finally takes charge in battle.
The author of this novel developed the psychological turmoil in the youth perfectly. He made sure, at any point in time, Henry’s understanding of his views and morals could be compromised. He also made sure that the reader was aware of this, and how terrified he was of it happening. However, what he lacked to clearly define is the ending. How Henry psychologically developed by the end of the book is often debated, where some critics say his mind matures and his thoughts are more realistic, whereas some critics believe he is as ignorant as he was at the beginning of the movie. Even how mature he has become is debated, just as how self-centered and smug he is. Some, like myself, believe that he is better off for the experience, but still isn’t void of vanity and delusion. Stephen Crane’s inability to define how he thought Henry grew from his situation is his only major fault.