The Red Badge of Courage

In Chapter 7, what does Henry tell himself is the reason he fled? What does he think of the men who remained in position? Where does Henry go to escape from the sounds of battle? What “experiment” does Henry conduct there? To what is a small clearing in t

In Chapter 7, what does Henry tell himself is the reason he fled? What does he think of the men who remained in position? Where does Henry go to escape from the sounds of battle? What “experiment” does Henry conduct there? To what is a small clearing in this place compared? What does the youth find in this clearing? What is Henry’s reaction to finding this thing here?
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1) He had fled, he told himself, because annihilation approached.

2) Thoughts of his comrades came to him. The brittle blue line had withstood the blows and won. He grew bitter over it. It seemed that the blind igorance and stupidity of those little pieces had betrayed him. He had been overturned and crushed by their lack of sense in holding the position, when intelligent deliberation would have convinced them that it was impossible. He, the englightened man who looks afar in the dark, had fled because of his superior perceptions and knowledge. He felt a great anger against his comrades. He knew it could be proved that they had been fools.

3) He went from the fields into a thick woods, as if resolved to bury himself. He wished to get out of hearing of the crackling shots which were to him like voices.

4) At length he reached a place where the high, arching boughs made a chapel. He softly pushed the green doors aside and entered. Pine needles were a gentle brown carpet. There was a religious half light.

5) He was being looked at by a dead man who was seated with his back against a columnlike tree.

6)The youth gave a shriek as he confronted the thing. He was for moments turned to stone before it. He remained staring into the liquid-looking eyes. The dead man and the living man exchanged a long look. Then the youth cautiously put one hand behind him and brought it against a tree. Leaning upon this he retreated, step by step, with his face still toward the thing. He feared that if he turned his back the body might spring up and stealthily pursue him.

Source(s)

The Red Badge of Courage