The Red Badge of Courage: Ch. 11-12

These chapter's delve deeper into Henry Flemming's internal conflict. Henry is still feeling tremendously guilty about retreating earlier from battle. After the ordeal with the group of wounded soldiers including one of his good friends, Henry witnesses a proud column of soldiers as they march into the battle. This sight very briefly give Henry true courage, but it arose inside him from impulse. Henry almost runs toward the front lines himself, but gives it a thought and decides not to go. Impulse pushed Henry to go, but reason held him back since he was in pain and both hungry and thirsty from the battle. In this bout of inner conflict, Henry's reason prevailed and consequently deprives him of the true courage that he so desperately wants on this occasion. This rationalization is very similar to an idea about human nature in Shakespeare's Hamlet. Hamlet is prevented from acting because of indecisiveness caused by contemplation. In a very famous speech, Hamlet states that too much though weakens the human resolve. Henry Flemming was resolved to charge with who he perceived as valiant soldiers, but after thinking and weighing the consequences and benefits, he decides to stay back and watch instead of risking his life on the front lines.

After deciding to stay behind to watch the battle, Henry again feels guilty about not entering the conflict because he believes that yet another opportunity to prove his courage has slipped him by. He tries to justify his actions with a fabricated excuse but cannot ultimately come up with one, a fact that greatly disturbs him. He even goes as far as to hope that his army looses the battle so that he can convince himself that he is clairvoyant and able to predict the futile attempt to the win the battle. However, he only further feels guilt, which causes him to believe that his comrads will equate his name with the word coward.