The Red Badge of Courage is a classic novel by Stephen Crane, published in 1895. It tells the story of Henry Fleming, a young Union soldier in the American Civil War. Henry is filled with fear and doubt as he awaits his first battle. He is determined to prove his courage, but when the battle begins, he runs away in terror. He is ashamed of his cowardice and ashamed of the “red badge of courage” that he believes marks him as a coward. Henry eventually finds the courage to return to the battlefield and fight bravely. He is wounded in the leg and is taken to a field hospital. There, he meets a veteran soldier who helps him to understand the true meaning of courage. Henry returns to his regiment and is welcomed as a hero. He has learned that courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to face fear and do what is right.
By Stephen Crane · First published 1895 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Realism, Adventure · 24 chapters