Crane's classic Civil War novel tells the story of Henry Fleming, a young farm boy who enlists in the Union army through a combination of patriotism and the romantic wish to be a "Hero". Henry has grown up reading tales of classical heroes, and laments the fact that there are no more opportunities for a man to prove himself on the field of combat. When the Civil War begins, he jumps at the opportunity to enlist and perform great deeds. As his first battle approaches, however, he is worried that he'll lose courage at the last minute and run away from the battlefield. During this first conflict, he does in fact get scared and run, but in a later skirmish, he shows so much bravery that he is singled out for praise by his commander.
Crane makes a strong statement about the danger of romanticizing war and the killing of others. The green, naive soldiers go into their first battle bragging of all the great deeds they plan to do, but when faced with the harsh reality of the battlefield, the vast majority either hide or abandon the place altogether. The book acts as a solemn reminder that, no matter the lofty patriotic speeches given by politicians in Washington, war has a very real, very final effect on the individuals fighting in the trenches.
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