The Red Badge of Courage: Ch. 17-19

There is a huge and unexpected shift in Henry's character in Chapter 17. Henry and other Union soldiers wait impatiently for the confederate troops to arrive. It seems that out of nowhere, Henry gains a tremendous will to fight. When the enemy swarms the field, Henry continuing fires and reloads without regard to anything that is happening around him. He is completely focused in shooting the enemy men without regard for his own life. Guided completely by anger, Henry doesn't even stop shooting well after the confederate troops retreat. Inadvertently, Henry becomes the heroic figure that he had wanted to be without even noticing. The fit of anger that guided him like a wild beast had very mysterious sources, but nevertheless gives Henry the image of a hero on the battlefield. At the end of the chapter, the weather clears and the sun shines, symbolizing the clear and resolute heart that Henry has developed in the course of the day.

The insult that Wilson and Henry's superiors only further increases the resolution within the two men, especially Henry. As their regiment, the 304th, charges in to battle, Henry is filled with pride. He sees their flag bearer killed and he and Wilson are the ones who picks it up and continues to charge. This action solidifies Henry's courage, something that only a day before, he was completely devoid of. Carrying the weight of the whole battle and figuratively, the entire union, in his hand, Henry charges valiantly forward against the Confederate troops. Henry's character changes dramatically in his second day of major combat. He had tried so hard to force himself to attain glory and courage before but failed miserably. However, guided by natural emotions, most predominantly anger, Henry is able to exhibit tremendous bravery.