Dennis Zeedyk-The Red Badge of Courage

Author of Book: Stephen Crane
Date Read: January 31, 2025

Book Report

Title: The Red Badge of Courage
Author: Stephen Crane
Date: 1/31/24
Pages: 117

I chose this book because I heard that this book is somewhat of a classic and since it was only 117 pages, I thought I could read it quickly. Unfortunately, the conversations in the books were in Irish and 1860’s American slang, so it took longer to read through it than I thought. I still enjoyed it and glad I had the opportunity to read it.

I learned in this book that Henry Fleming left for the Union Army in the US Civil War in the early 1860’s. During his first battle, he got scared, turned around and ran until he had no more energy to run. A large number of the new soldiers in his regiment did the same thing. As it turned out, his regiment held the line in that battle and he felt extremely ashamed of his cowardice and thought he would ultimately be ridiculed for it. As he worked his way back to his regiment, he saw several friends who had wounds – some of which were fatal. He thought that if he had a wound that he called a “Red Badge of Courage,” that this would offset his lack of bravery. Soon after, his regiment faced another battle and this time he was much braver. When their unit flag went down, he scooped it up and charged further into battle than anyone else with loud battle cries and a daring spirit of near-madness, trying to rally his fellow soldiers to complete the attack. They ultimately retreated back to their line after many casualties. His lieutenant and colonel sought him out and publicly praised him for his heroism and bravery.

I learned the following that will help me with my prospects for success after prison:
1) Even if you fail once, you can recover from that failure with a complete turn-around. Although I failed when I committed this crime, I can recover when I am released by doing a more complete and honest business to rebuild my family business. I am already compiling a list of possible ventures to investigate.
2) The military is an honorable profession for young men who have no direction or discipline. By going to the service, they can get the discipline they need before they do something stupid or break the law and end up in the system. Once this happens, due to a felony on their record, they will not have the opportunity to join the military. If I see young people struggling at home, I will recommend that they look at the military as a job.
3) This book had quite a few vocabulary words I did not know, which are listed below:
Raiment – clothing, garments
Maledictory – curse, speak evil of
Opprobrium – something that brings disgrace; a public disgrace that follow from conduct considered grossly wrong
Lambrequins – a short decorative drape for a shelf or something on top of a window casing
Evinced – to display clearly, to constitute actual evidence of
Gamins – street urchin
Languidly – drooping as if from exhaustion; sluggish in character or disposition, lacking force of quick movement.
Remonstrated – to demonstrate; to present & urge reasons in opposition
Harangue – a ranting speech or writing; lecture
Demure – modest, reserved, coy
Viands – an item of food; a choice or tasty dish