In the novel, The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane, Henry the protagonist engages a moment as a flag bearer which provides insight to his journey to manhood as there is seen gain in his moral development towards gaining respect. Crane also promotes the message of need for personal accountability in one’s life as Henry shows responsibility towards his regiment in his moment as a flag bearer.
Near the conclusion of the book, Henry leads his unit through serving as flag bearer which provides evidence to Henry’s moral development of gaining respect. Henry assumes that being courageous means being able to show your wounds from the war to others. For instance, “He wished that he, too, had a wound, a red badge of courage”(Crane 67). In these lines, Crane suggests that Henry is envious of the men that are wounded instead of showing pity towards them. Thus Henry creates a false sense of courage in his mind. Throughout the text, Henry tries to prove himself as one of the courageous soldiers by putting himself to test however he fails. Near the end, Henry experiences a proud moment of courage when he seizes the flag and serves as a flag guide for his regiment. Crane suggests, “Each felt satisfied with the other’s possession of it, but each felt bound to declare, by an offer to carry the emblem, his willingness to further risk himself” (Crane 124). Crane emphasizes Henry’s willingness to make sacrifice for his regiment. He also promotes Henry’s fearless maneuver when he takes up the flag and waves it with pride. Here, Henry realizes that he’s showing real courage by risking his life to represent the Union as he carries the flag. Hence, Henry is able to understand the true definition of courage and respect.
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Henry’s role as a flag guide helps manifest his journey from youth to manhood as he gains recognition for respect. In the early stages of the novel, Henry is considered to be a self preserved teenager who wants to join the regiment to earn respect and be thought of as a daring male. For instance, “He had, of course, dreamed of battles all his life-of vague and bloody conflicts that had thrilled him with their sweep and fire”(Crane 15). Here, Crane emphasizes Henry’s self centered and childish nature and also highlights the way he wants to enlist in the army to gain glory. Henry’s growth towards manhood is noticeable when he seizes the flag as Crane suggests- “The flag, obedient to these appeals, bended its glittering form and swept toward them. The men wavered in indecision for a moment, and then with a long, wailful cry the dilapidated regiment surged forward and began it’s new journey.”(Crane 122). In this moment Henry leads a charge and faces his enemy highlighting his brave nature. Henry attains maturity when he realizes that one’s manhood lies in being able to negotiate one’s mistakes and responsibilities towards his army on the battlefield. Furthermore, he realizes that being a soldier isn’t just about glory and fame, it requires patience and sacrifice.
Crane’s depiction of Henry’s pivotal moment encourages the value for self accountability in one’s life and how it helped Henry recognize his place in the battle. In the early stages of the novel, Henry fears not having the courage to stay and fight during the battle. His fears come true during the second battle when he runs away. However, he tries to justify the reason of his flight. For instance, “He threw a pinecone at a jovial squirrel, and he ran with chattering fear...The youth felt triumphant at this exhibition. There was the law he said. Nature had given him a sign.The squirrel, immediately upon recognizing danger, had taken to its legs without ado” (Crane 60). Crane focuses on Henry’s fear of being killed. Henry believes that there might be no chance of victory at all which highlights his lack of courage and self-preservative nature as true courage is when a soldier stays and fight for himself even when they know that they might experience defeat. As the text advances, Henry understands the real meaning of courage and responsibility for a soldier. Crane suggests, “Within him, as he hurled himself forward, was born a love, a despairing fondness for this flag which was near him. It was a creation of beauty and invulnerability” (Crane 123). Here, Crane promotes Henry’s understanding of his duty as a brave soldier. He is able to show his realization of group accountability when he understands his obligation as he seizes the flag and leads his entire unit to battle.
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