Quotes from book
The Red Badge of Courage

The Red Badge of Courage

The Red Badge of Courage is a war novel by American author Stephen Crane . Taking place during the American Civil War, the story is about a young private of the Union Army, Henry Fleming, who flees from the field of battle. Overcome with shame, he longs for a wound, a "red badge of courage," to counteract his cowardice. When his regiment once again faces the enemy, Henry acts as standard-bearer, who carries a flag.


Stephen Crane photo
Stephen Crane photo
Stephen Crane photo

“The red sun was pasted in the sky like a wafer.”

Source: The Red Badge of Courage (1895), Ch. 9

Stephen Crane photo
Stephen Crane photo
Stephen Crane photo
Stephen Crane photo

“He had fought like a pagan who defends his religion.”

Source: The Red Badge of Courage (1895), Ch. 17

Stephen Crane photo

“They were going to look at war, the red animal — war, the blood-swollen god. And they were deeply engrossed in this march.”

Source: The Red Badge of Courage (1895), Ch. 3
Context: The line, broken into moving fragments by the ground, went calmly on through fields and woods. The youth looked at the men nearest him, and saw, for the most part, expressions of deep interest, as if they were investigating something that had fascinated them. One or two stepped with overvaliant airs as if they were already plunged into war. Others walked as upon thin ice. The greater part of the untested men appeared quiet and absorbed. They were going to look at war, the red animal — war, the blood-swollen god. And they were deeply engrossed in this march.

Stephen Crane photo

“The cold passed reluctantly from the earth, and the retiring fogs revealed an army stretched out on the hills, resting.”

Source: The Red Badge of Courage (1895), Ch. 1 First lines.
Context: The cold passed reluctantly from the earth, and the retiring fogs revealed an army stretched out on the hills, resting. As the landscape changed from brown to green, the army awakened, and began to tremble with eagerness at the noise of rumors.

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