"The Red Badge of Courage"

The Red Badge of Courage was written by Stephen Crane, a story about a soldier who flees from battle. The book bequeathed Crane instant fame. Acclaimed by critics and readers alike. Today, The Red Badge of Courage is hailed a true American classic. Ironically, Crane did not have direct experience of war when he was writing this book. He wrote the story from stories he read on newspapers. Although a generation after the Civil War, The Red Badge of Courage wowed readers when it was first published.

The Red Badge of Courage made Americans and foreigners alike reconsider their preconception of war. Crane focused on the psychology of a solider. Crane doesn’t go further than the emotional realm of Henry Fleming. There are doubts among critics as to who Henry Fleming is. Even at the end of the book, Flaming remains mysterious to readers. This leads to the question if Crane really wanted to portray Fleming as a hero, or an average Joe. Although the book lacks outside the psychological realm of Henry Flaming, it makes up for it with its powerful and vivid imagery. Crane’s unique way of writing a novel attracted readers near and far. Also, modern writers can draw from Crane’s realism. Crane’s powerful description of war and the psychology of a solider still influences readers and writers alike.