Heroism And Romanticism In Henry Crane's Red Badge

In the beginning of Red Badge*, the year is 1863 and the stage is set for the upcoming Battle of Chancellorsville. Henry Fleming awaits orders as rumors stir of an early May march*. The novella begins after Henry has joined the 304th New York regiment and has encamped in Virginia. Upon hearing news the news he might face battle, Henry becomes filled with angst. The narrator then reveals to the reader, Henry had “dreamed of battle all his life” (Crane 2). Henry imagined himself a hero; to achieve glory and fame were Henry’s sole reasons for enlisting in the military. Henry is, therefore, a romantic*. A romantic is an individual who is attracted to the emphasized details of heroism in a typically grim event. Now, after hearing rumors of his regiment

As Dr. Ball, a literary professor, defines Irony when there is a “collision of romantic expectations and reality” (Ball).* Later in the novella once Henry is engaged in his first battle, another example of irony becomes apparent to the reader. Although Henry stands and fights amongst his comrades for the first attack of the Confederate soldiers when the second attack comes, Henry flees “like a proverbial chicken” (Crane 13). To his dismay, Henry flees the battle once he begins to witness others do so as well. A stark and bitter example of irony as Henry proves his cowardice and lack of bravery when he forsakes his fellow soldiers. As Henry deserts*, he soon hears the news of his regiment’s victory and feels instant horror. His comrades, against the odds, had* won and Henry had* deserted. In his outrage, Henry rationalizes his desertion as he is “the enlightened man” with “superior perceptions and knowledge” (21). Henry’s rationalizations are further examples of the irony and naivety* surrounding Henry as he attempts to justify his actions against his very own romantic

Henry had received his red badge of courage, though not in the manner Henry had hoped for*. In the opinion* of Carol B. Hafer, a critique of Red Badge, Henry’s red badge is nothing but “a badge of shame or absurdity” (Hafer 1). Since Henry receives his red badge from a fellow soldier than the enemy, his red badge is nothing more than a mark of ridicule. Furthermore, Hafer writes, “had Henry remained fighting with his regiment instead of deserting, he would have known the outcome of the battle and would have had no need to block the retreating soldier to obtain the news” (Hafer 1). *** Despite, Henry’s shame-ridden red badge, he is satisfied he now has a story for his desertion. Later into the night, Henry makes it back to his regiment’s camp and manages to hide his shame. The following morning, Henry and the regiment are once again thrust into the heat of battle. To Henry’s surprise, he manages to fight through the whole day and not retreat. As said by the lieutenant, “heavens, if I had ten thousand wild cats like you I could tear th’ stomach outta this war in less’n a week” (Crane 46).