15. Is Crane’s description of the dead soldier at the end of Chapter 7 too realistic? How does he make each of the wounded in Chapter 8 stand out as an individual? 16. In Chapter 9 Crane writes of Henry, “lie wished that he, too, had a wound, a red badge of courage.” Do you agree with this definition of a wound?
17. What is the significance of the chapter describing Jim’s death? 18. lknry secs the tattered man as a symbol—of what? During Henry’s march with the retreating regiment (ch. 9,10,11) he is tortured by an inner conflict. At what point do you sympathize with him the most? The least?
19. By what logic does henry argue that a defeat would be a “vindication of himself”? And why is a “moral vindication” so tremendously important to him? Is it to most of us? 20. At the end of Ch.11 Crane says that Henry “returned to the creed of soldiers.” What is meant by the phrase? What kind of person makes the best soldier? Could certain qualities, desirable in themselves, make life as a soldier difficult for some people?
21. Joseph Conrad has described Henry as the “symbol” of all untried men…alone with the problem of courage.” How does Henry face and meet his own “problem of courage”?
22. Is it true, as has been written of Crane’s characters, that “heroism … is not a predictable quality; it is an impersonal gill that is thrust upon man momentarily—and with ironic consequence”? Are there examples of iron in Chapter 13? Elsewhere in the novel?
23. When Henry returns to his regiment he finds quite a change in Wilson. Is Crane suggesting that Henry, too, has changed?
24. What pictures of himself as a soldier does Henry’s imagination portray in Chapter 15? What gives him such confidence? 25. Is Henry’s reaction to the advance of the enemy at the beginning of Chapter 17 to be expected? What does Crane mean by “It was not well to drive men into final corners; at those moments they could all develop teeth and claws”?
26. After describing the frenzied fighting in Chapter 19, Crane says of the regiment: “They returned to caution. They were become men again.” What is the implication? ?7. Note the different similies used by Crane to describe the flag. When does the flag wome a symbol of all that Henry has loved? What part do symbols play in time of wt kt other times?