Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage establishes individualism as an unfavorable quality. Group accomplishments are more important than that of the individual to get through a battle of war. And one must lose that identity in order to actually find one's self. Crane's main character, Henry, is portrayed as a youth in search of self worth and assurance. Crane creates Henry as an individual in a mass society. He establishes Henry as an individual because he gives him the ability to think for himself, but creates situations that halt his individualism in order for him to remain a part of his regiment. Crane injects him into the army with aspirations of attaining a sense of identity.

Crane gives this character one thing that men ought not to do in this novel. He gives Henry the ability to think. Therefore, Henry looks past the glory of enlisting in the army and begins to question what could happen to him on the battlefield. He acknowledges the presence of something the other men dare not think about, which is death. With the realization that lives are at stake, he questions whether or not he will run when faced with battle. "It suddenly appeared to him that perhaps

The fight was lost and he comes in contact with the soldiers marching from the battlefield. "Within him something bade to cry out. Why - why - what's th' matter?" The man screamed, "Let me go! Let me go" (Crane 52)! He swung his rifle and crushed it on the youth's head. Crane has now given Henry his own type of "red badge of courage." He could now return to the rank of regiment as part of the group.

In the final battle, "The youth ran like a madman to reach the woods before a bullet could discover him. Within him, as he hurled himself forward, was born a love, a despairing fondness for this flag which was near him. It was a creation of beauty and invulnerability" (Crane 81). This act by Henry, gives him his final entry into the group. His individuality begins to diminish within the battlefield.

Crane creates Henry as an individual in a mass society. His character of individuality in the army shows that he stands out among the men of the 304th regiment. The youth considered himself as separated from the others. "The youth kept from intercourse with his companions as much as circumstances would allow" (Crane 12). "For days he made ceaseless calculations, but they were all wondrously unsatisfactory" (Crane 9). He frets for an opportunity to acknowledge himself as part of the regiment. He continually tries to measure himself by his comrades. Consequently, he attempts to quill his lack of confidence by seeking out others from whom he can find confidence. His suspicions run true, when in the first sight of battle, Henry runs. However, Henry does not run because of insightful individualism, he does it in reaction to the group. He mimics them, trying desperately to be part of the group, even if it is running from battle. Henry feels a sudden resentment towards those in his regiment that did not run but rather defeated the enemy without him; he feels betrayed. To assuage his feelings of guilt, he resolves that any "thinkin

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Approximate Word count = 1317
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)