Chapters 5-7

This forum is for the discussion of Stephen Crane's, The Red Badge of Courage, Chapters 5-7.

Henry starts to join in the comradery of the regimen. Battle has begun and his instincts take over well. He realizes that self preservation is the job of ever soldier.

Henry feels the panic and flees. He alsorealizes that this is normal for all of the soldiers. He also realizes that the universe will continue to rotate and life will go on with or without him. That is a huge lesson for a young adult alone.

He finally takes solace in nature and has a few minutes reprive. Then the war comes back again when he encounters a dead man half decayed.

This young adult is learning a lot in life and war and it will be interesting to see where this goes. I read this book in high school, but that was 20 years ago. Ugh.

I must say that when reading the beginning of chapter five I could really sense the twisting in the stomachs of the men gettng ready to be involved in the fight. the author did a good job of building up anxiety.
I liked the line 'It was a mysterious fraternity born of the smoke and of death' to illustrate the sudden connection he had with his regiment.

I have felt that way through out the novel too. I can feel/sense the surroundings, the battle, the fear.