Examples Of Cowardice In Red Badge Of Courage

Cowardice is defined as a lack of bravery, but can have several other meanings according to different people. In the story Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane, Henry shows traits of cowardice in a multitude of ways during his experiences at war. Henry joined the army with the hope of becoming a hero, although no sign of heroism is shown throughout the story. Fleming's high expectations for himself do not make up for his actions in Red Badge of Courage.

Despite Henry's high ego, dialogue in Red Badge of Courage reveals his cowardly true nature. Fleming saw himself as a hero in battle, but when faced with the reality of war, his imaginations did not come true. For instance, during the march to battle, Henry was continuously complaining about

how all the walking was tiring him out and that it was all for nothing. He said, “I can't stand this much longer, I don't see what good it does to wear out our legs for nothin’” (Crane 35). Henry knew what he was signing up for when he joined the army, yet in difficult conditions he lacked the motivation to continue. Another scenario of cowardice shown through dialogue was when Fleming was complaining about always losing battles and blaming it on his generals. Henry explains how he does not see any sense in “fighting and fighting and fighting yet always losing through some derned old lunkhead of a general” (Crane 126). Instead of staying strong and trying to find ways to make the situation better, Henry just complained and put the blame on other people.
Henry's weak behavior is also shown through characterization in the story.

Fleming's attitude and behavior in the story allow readers to view him as cowardly. For example, when Henry made his way back to his regiment, he wanted to hide from them with the fear they would find out he ran from battle earlier. It is explained that Henry “made vague plans to go off into the deeper darkness and hide” (Crane 103). Instead of facing his fears and being brave, Fleming just wanted to hide. Another way Henry's cowardice was shown through characterization was when he fled from battle. In that moment, he assumed his side was losing the battle, and the logical solution was to run. However Fleming later learned that his regiment was in fact winning, but still decided not to return and help, fearing what people would say and think about him retreating. It is detailed how Henry “threw down his gun and fled. There was no shame in his face. He ran like a rabbit” (Crane 56). Henry had no hesitation in his choice, at the first sign of danger he

ran.
The final way Henry's cowardice is shown is through setting in the story.

Different scenes in the story affect Fleming in different ways, however his reactions are always the cowardly. For example, after the battle ended, Henry saw all the confederate corpses and became so frightened he went into a trance. “The despair of the lost was in his eyes as he glanced back at them”(Crane 178). The fear that Henry and his friends had caused all those people to die made him forget that they had won, and everyone was waiting for him to raise the flag. In addition, Henry tells himself that the reason he ran from battle was because he was smart and knew that danger was coming, when in fact his regiment was actually winning. “He had fled, he told himself, because annihilation approached. He had done a good part in saving himself” (Crane 62). The fact that Henry tried to make excuses for retreating instead of going back and fighting uncovers his lack of

bravery.
Overall, Henry's actions in Red Badge of Courage do not match his views on himself. Although some may say that Fleming is brave for joining the war at such a young age, Henry joined the war not thinking of his country, but thinking of the reputation it would give him.. Cowardice can be defined in several ways, some may say it means to be afraid and not have the willingness to overcome fears, others may say it means to only think about yourself in dangerous situations. Whatever the meaning, Henry fits all the criteria, and his moments of so called “bravery” are only the moments that he was in danger and only thought about saving himself.