Comparing Heroism in Red Badge of Courage, Journey's End, and Regeneration

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Heroism in Red Badge of Courage, Journey's End, and Regeneration

The idea of heroism is constantly evolving with time. The traditional idea of heroism, is derived from ancient Greek influences such as the two major epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey. The mythological figure of heroism is endowed with great strength and ability, and of divine descent. He brings honour and acclaim, and is admired for his courage. This is the Homeric ideal that The Red Badge of Courage and Journey's End approaches. There is the predominant emphasis on the physical, courage and masculinity, in the ideal of a heroic person in these two texts. However heroism redefined in the modern context has extended its definition beyond the distinctly physical terms with the obvious absence of the intellect and morals, and is exemplified by Sassoon in Regeneration.

According to the Britannica-Webster dictionary, heroism refers to "great self-sacrificing courage, that is, greatness of heart in facing danger or difficulties." The modern definition of heroism, though it remains to be purely subjective, has evolved to mean (as I would define it) an unyielding and uncompromising commitment to one's purpose and morality even in the face of antagonism, qualities of which will command admiration.

It is this very idea of heroism that is the motivational force behind many young ambitious men to join the war. This desire to live up to the Homeric ideal feeds on pride and vanity of youths and is clearly demonstrated by Henry Fleming in The Red Badge of Courage. His exaggerated and romantic notions of honour - "tales of great movements shook the land...there seemed to be much glory in them" - drives him to the decision to join the war. However, his misguided fantasies of which " in visions he had seen himself in many struggles...imagined people secure in the shadow of his eagle-eyed prowess", proves to be terribly wrong in a matter of only a few days. In no time, he found himself to be "part of a vast blue demonstration".

Crane tries to dispel the link between heroism and actual real-life warfare by bringing Henry, an ignorant youth immersed in idealized notions of glory fame and honour, to a clearer and more sombre view of the world and himself.

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