The Red Badge of Courage

Alone in the woods, how does Henry justify his flight? When Henry enters the chapel of trees does he find comfort? Explain

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As Henry flees through the forest, he hears loud crashes and roars through the darkening sky. It seems as if the world is being rent asunder. Henry's mind is going in all directions at once. He feels that the two armies are going at each other in a panther-like fashion. He then runs, ironically, in the direction of the battle, more to witness the collision of the armies than to participate.

As he runs, the forest becomes silent and still. Henry feels that the fight he had fled from was not a struggle, but instead a small skirmish. He doubts that he has seen a real battle. He feels silly for having taken the situation so seriously. He was not carving his name in the tablet of history.

Source(s)

http://www.gradesaver.com/the-red-badge-of-courage/study-guide/summary-chapters-5-8