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The Red Badge of Courage Study Guide

by Stephen Crane

The Red Badge of Courage study guide contains a biography of Stephen Crane, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

As The Red Badge of Courage opens, members of a newly recruited Union regiment are debating a fresh rumor: they are finally going to move out on the next day and engage the enemy. One young soldier, Henry Fleming, reflects on what will become of him when he gets to battle - namely, will he run or will he stand and fight bravely? He enlisted because he wants to be a hero, like the warriors of the Greek epics. His own mother, however, was not interested in such fanciful notions of bravery, and discouraged him from enlisting. When he tells her he's joined the army, she denies him a touching farewell scene and merely says if he finds himself in a situation where he will be killed or may do something wrong, he should go with his feelings.

He has…

Read the full The Red Badge of Courage Summary

• The Red Badge of Courage Summary
• About The Red Badge of Courage
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Quotes and Analysis
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 1-4
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 5-8
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 9-12
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 13-16
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 17-20
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 21-24
• The Battle of Chancellorsville
• Related Links on The Red Badge of Courage
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• The Red Badge of Courage: Major Themes
• The Red Badge of Courage: Essays
• The Red Badge of Courage: E-Text
• The Red Badge of Courage: Questions
• The Red Badge of Courage: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Stephen Crane: Biography