Expectations versus Reality in Stephen Cranes The Red...

Expectations versus Reality in Stephen Cranes The Red Badge of Courage The notion that war is an exciting, romantic endeavor full of glory and heroism has existed for centuries. Stephen Crane set out to demystify war through his novel The Red Badge of Courage, which traces the experiences of a young soldier in the American Civil War. Crane shows the true nature of war by contrasting Henry Flemings romantic expectations with the reality that he encounters. This contrast between romantic vision and cold reality can be seen early in the novel, with Henrys departure from home. Driven to a prolonged ecstasy of excitement by the rejoicing crowd, Henry enlists in the army and says good-bye to his mother with a light of excitement†¦show more content†¦The contrast is again evident in Henrys army experiences before going into battle. His treatment before leaving town only serves to increase his romantic expectations as his former classmates [throng] about him with wonder and admiration (710). Henrys regiment is then treated so well on its journey to Washington that he is led to believe that he must be a hero with the strength to do mighty deeds of arms (711). In keeping with his romantic beliefs, Henry imagines that his regiment will be involved in a series of death struggles with small time in between for sleep and meals (711). Yet again, Crane presents a more realistic view in Henrys actual experiences. Instead of automatically being a hero, as he had anticipated, Henry faces uncertainty and a little panic-fear as to his own ability to withstand battle (712). Filled with self-doubt, Henry dreams of a thousand-tongued fear that [will] babble at his back and cause him to flee (718). In addition, Henry must put up with months of monotonous life in a camp, not the constant action he anticipated (711). Even when his regiment does move out, it moves from place to place with apparent aimlessness, leaving a frustrated Henry to feel that he is merely one part of a vast blue demonstration (722). It is in the scenes of battle and death, however, that the contrast between Henrys romantic expectations and his actual experiences