This is a book review on the Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane and how the book relates to U.S. History and the civil war.

Red Badge of Courage

I read the book, "Red Badge of Courage" by Stephen Crane This is a story set

during the United States Civil War It takes us into the life of a young man named Henry

Fleming, who is usually referred to as the Youth in the story The basic idea of the book

is, the Youth joins the US. Army that's fighting war against the South. The author,

Crane gives us a very good picture of what life was like for the Youth and why he lived

his life so independently The Youth, who feared the battle, ends up having war be his

teacher While every time he went out to fight he finds some more information about himself.

In the beginning of the story, the Youth signs up for the Army which is going

against his mothers wishes By disobeying her. his is basically isolating himself from his

family and becomes very independent. The Youth didn't get the moral support he

needed from his mother. When he's having a hard time during the battle, he's looking

for support but realizes that he'd pushed it away and out of his life This effects him on

how well he does during battle.

In the story there is the difference between how the Youth pictures battling to be

and the reality of war The Youth at first enjoys military life as he and his regiment

marches in parades while the crowds cheer them on He becomes disappointed and

thinks army life becomes boring dull work. His regiment is marched and drilled

repeatedly He starts out feeling that he will never see action And builds up a fear of

not being about to be courageous enough in battle He becomes the loner who is

unable to talk with his comrades...