Expectations versus Reality in Stephen Cranes The Red Badge of Courage

Expectations versus Reality in Stephen Cranes The Red Badge of CourageThe notion that war is an exciting, romantic strive 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 materialisation soldier in the Ameri tramp Civil War. Crane shows the true spirit of war by contrasting enthalpy 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 total heats departure from home. Driven to a protracted ecstasy of excitement by the rejoicing crowd, Henry enlists in the phalanx and says good-bye to his mother with a light of excitement and expectancy in his eyes (709). He anticipates a romantic, sentimental send-off reminiscent of life-threatening times and even goes as far as preparing remarks in come which he hopes to use with touching effect to create a better-lo oking scene (710). However, Crane presents a more realistic view. At the parole of Henrys enlistment, his mother simply says The Lords will be done and continues milking the cow, having previously urged Henry not to be a fool by enlisting (709). She thus destroys his hopes by offering sensible,... ...es in anguish while his friend Jim suffers and dies. Today, many of the romantic myths about war have been destroyed through video and movies such as Born on the Fourth of July, which shows war with any its suffering, pain, and death. Yet it was Stephen Crane who, a century ago, deglorified war through the experiences of Henry Fleming. With his frequent contrasts between romantic vision and cold reality, Crane distinctly portrays the true horrors of war. Work Cited Crane, Stephen. The Red Badge of Courage. Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Geroge McMichael, et al. 5th ed.Vol. 2. unsanded York Macmillan, 1993. 707-87.