The red badge of courage

an episode of the American Civil War

by Stephen Crane, Eugene O'Neill

246 pages

English language

Published March 3, 1993 by Modern Library.

ISBN:: 978-0-679-60028-2

(46 reviews)

The Red Badge of Courage is a war novel by American author Stephen Crane (1871–1900). Taking place during the American Civil War, the story is about a young private of the Union Army, Henry Fleming, who flees from the field of battle. Overcome with shame, he longs for a wound, a "red badge of courage," to counteract his cowardice. When his regiment once again faces the enemy, Henry acts as standard-bearer.

Although Crane was born after the war, and had not at the time experienced battle first-hand, the novel is known for its realism. He began writing what would become his second novel in 1893, using various contemporary and written accounts (such as those published previously by Century Magazine) as inspiration. It is believed that he based the fictional battle on that of Chancellorsville; he may also have interviewed veterans of the124th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, commonly known as the Orange Blossoms. Initially shortened and serialized in newspapers in December 1894, the novel was published in full in October 1895. A longer version of the work, based on Crane's original manuscript, was published in 1982.

The novel is known for its distinctive style, which includes realistic battle sequences as well as the repeated use of color imagery, and ironic tone. Separating itself from a traditional war narrative, Crane's story reflects the inner experience of its protagonist (a soldier fleeing from combat) rather than the external world around him. Also notable for its use of what Crane called a "psychological portrayal of fear", the novel's allegorical and symbolic qualities are often debated by critics. Several of the themes that the story explores are maturation, heroism, cowardice, and the indifference of nature. The Red Badge of Courage garnered widespread acclaim, what H. G. Wells called "an orgy of praise", shortly after its publication, making Crane an instant celebrity at the age of twenty-four. The novel and its author did have their initial detractors, however, including author and veteran Ambrose Bierce. Adapted several times for the screen, the novel became a bestseller. It has never been out of print and is now thought to be Crane's most important work and a major American text. (Wikipedia)

113 editions

Stephanie Jane reviewed The red badge of courage by Stephen Crane (Wordsworth classics)

Grim and wordy

3 stars

The Red Badge of Courage is the earliest dated book I received via this summer’s AudioSYNC programme. An American classic, it was first published in 1895 so is even before the first segment of theBookcrossing Decade Challenge I have joined on Goodreads.

Young Henry Fleming has enlisted to fight in the America Civil War. Naïve to what awaits him, he flees during his first battle, finding himself among wounded men whom Henry sees as displaying their red badges of courage – their bloodstains. After being hit by one of his own side, Henry returns to his regiment where, believing his previous cowardice unnoticed, he seizes the flag when its bearer is killed. Suddenly brave beyond his experience, he leads through intense fighting, remaining unharmed.

Red Badge of Courage is written in an impersonal fashion which I thought both helped and hindered its impact. By not particularly detailing people’s or places’ …

Red Badge of Courage is written in an impersonal fashion which I thought both helped and hindered its impact. By not particularly detailing people’s or places’ names, it can be a novel of any low-tech war, as relevant now as then and all across the globe. However, devices such as continually referring to Henry as ‘the youth’ made it difficult for me to really invest in his story and I found myself frequently drifting away from listening. I am also not sure whether Crane’s message was meant to turn readers on to or away from war. The descriptions of fighting and casualties are powerful, but our protagonist redeems himself by rushing headlong into battle, glorifying the bloodshed in order to 'become a man'.

Caffeinated Book Dragon reviewed The red badge of courage by Stephen Crane (Barnes & Noble classics)

Hard time getting into it, but had some good points

2 stars

I'm not quite sure what to make of this one. I liked some of it, and other bits of the writing just bugged me like crazy. I got annoyed that the author constantly referred to the main character as "the youth" and occasionally had somebody say his name, Henry. I had to remind myself who this person was.

I will give this book credit, though--if it's trying to get across the futility of being known as a hero, the different sides of cowardice and courage (or what it means to be either), the confusion of fighting and retreating and stopping...then this text succeeded.

Bridgman reviewed The Red Badge of Courage ,by Stephen Crane by Stephen Crane

Review of 'The Red Badge of Courage ,by Stephen Crane' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

[a:Stephen Crane|19879|Stephen Crane|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1197498223p2/19879.jpg]'s [b:The Red Badge of Courage|35220|The Red Badge of Courage|Stephen Crane|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327936136l/35220.SY75.jpg|2314709] is one of those books I missed reading in high school and has been sitting around the house for decades. I'd always thought of it as a sort of workman-like book intended for young audiences, in the vein of [a:Esther Forbes|99849|Esther Forbes|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1286395635p2/99849.jpg]'s [b:Johnny Tremain|816870|Johnny Tremain|Esther Forbes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529294679l/816870.SX50.jpg|2683165]. But a few weeks ago, I heard an interview with [a:Paul Auster|296961|Paul Auster|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1554662932p2/296961.jpg] in which he talked about his recent biography of Crane, [b:Burning Boy: The Life and Work of Stephen Crane|56347224|Burning Boy The Life and Work of Stephen Crane|Paul Auster|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614682616l/56347224.SY75.jpg|87795591], in which he makes the case that Crane is the first American Modernist. What Auster said interested me enough that I read Badge and I'm glad I did. It's brilliant and the themes it deals with, war, cowardice, truth, and courage, it does well …

The men dropped here and there like bundles. The captain of the youth's company had been killed in an early part of the action. His body lay stretched out in the position of a tired man resting, but upon his face there was an astonished and sorrowful look, as if he thought some friend had done him an ill turn. The babbling man was grazed by a shot that made the blood stream widely down his face. He clapped both hands to his head. "Oh!" he said, and ran. Another grunted suddenly as if he had been struck by a club in the stomach. He sat down and gazed ruefully. In his eyes there was mute, indefinite reproach. Farther up the line a man, standing behind a tree, had had his knee joint splintered by a ball. Immediately he had dropped his rifle and gripped the tree with both arms. And there he remained, clinging desperately and crying for assistance that he might withdraw his hold upon the tree.

SBWright reviewed The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

Review of 'The Red Badge of Courage' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

This my second read. I read it about 15 years ago for an Undergraduate class in 19th Century American Lit. It relatively short, but full to the brim with carefully crafted imagery and poetic prose. Thoroughly enjoyed it slowly this time.