Chapter 24

This chapter is about Henry's thoughts. He thinks about his successes and failures. He remembers abandonning the tattered man and running away, but he also remembers coming back and overcoming his fear. He thinks about his war experience. As the rigment marches back toward the river it starts raining. Henry pictures the earth as a beautiful peaceful place. He smiles and looks at the sunshine peeking through the clouds.

I really liked this book. It allows you to feel some of the feeling that a soldier would feel. This was a very descriptive book. It painted the picture for you.

Question: Does the author know someone that was in the war?

Chapter 23

This chapter brightens everything up. The rigment attacks with what little energy they have left. The blue soldiers charge at the gray soldiers, the gray starts to retreat. When the enemy flag holder is shot Henry and Wilson dive for the flag at the same time. After getting it out of the dead man's hand, they celebrate. They had achieved a great victory. Henry and Wilson rest in a patch of grass and discuss their achievements.

Its a good thing, Henry became part of the rigment. If he was still running like in the beginning he would probably be dead right now.

Question: Is the war over?

Chapter 22

In this chapter Henry's rigment goes down hill. In another battle, he watches as the group gets thinner and thinner. He notices the firing is geting less and less. He reminds himself that Wilson and lieutenant are unharmed. He starts telling himself that he will not run away no matter how weak the rigment got. He thought his dead body would be the perfect revenge on the general for calling them mule drivers and mud diggers.

I think this chapter is kind of sad. Henry seems to be loosing faith and excitement. He is watching as this war is falling apart (on his side anyway), but it is good that he isn't going to flea from being defeated.

Question: What will happen to Henry and Wilson? It seems as if they are going to be the only ones that survive this battle.

Chapter 21

When the rigment gets back to the rest of the army they are made fun of because they stopped at first. Henry and Wilson are informed, by other people in the rigment, that they are probably the best fighters in the rigment. They are very pleased, but they do not show it.

Its a good thing the general is noticing what is really happening in these battles, but I dont think Henry and Wilson could be the only good fighters. They couldn't do it alone, and its impossible to protect everyone in the rigment so the others should get some credit too.

Question: Will Henry and Wilson be moved to another rigment to fight with a "stronger" group?

Chapter 20

In this chapter Henry's rigment is approached by the enemy. They inch closer and closer to 304th. Henry thinks they still have a chance and urges his group to keep fighting. As 304th keeps fighting the enemy starts to back away. When the enemy retreats Henry feels uplifted and celebrates, along with everyone else.

I am very glad that Henry and Wilson didn't give up after what they heard. They could have easily given up and died like general said, but they stayed strong and proved him wrong.

Question: What will happen since Henry and Wilson proved general wrong?

Chapter 19

This chapter is about the shock that came across Wilson and Henry when they heard they were the weakest rigment and that most of them were expected to die in the next attack. They head back to tell the others that they are about to charge, but they decide to keep the general's words to themselves. The men begin to march as the bullets are flying through the air. The soldier carrying the rigment flag is shot and falls to his knees. Henry and Wilson manage to get the flag out of the dead man's hands and keep going.

I think this chapter shows the courage and determination in Henry and Wilson. They know they're going to die, but they keep going anyway. They pick up the flag when the guy is shot. They charge to prove they can stand strong.

Question: Does anyone else think this rigment is being used?

Chapter 18

In this chapter is intense. As the battle deep in the forest gets louder the air is filled with smoke and the roaring sound of gun fires. When Jimmie Rogers starts screaming in pain, Wilson and Henry go to find him some water, thinking there is a stream nearby, but there isn't. While Henry and Wilson are looking for water they get to a spot where they can see the battle unfold. The general and staff walk by talking about a weak position. They say they need a weak rigment. They say they do not need the 304th, which happens to be Henry's rigment. They say the members "fight like a lot 'a mule drivers."

This is just Henry's luck. When he is supposed to be fighting he runs away, but when he is actually fighting, he is in the weakest rigment.

Question: Are they going to set Henry's rigment up to be killed (kind of like a distraction for the enemy)?

Chapter 17

In this chapter Henry fights like a lunatic. The others are starting to think of him as the war devil. He is going crazy with the fighting. The general said if he could find 10,000 men that fight like Henry just did they would win the battle in a week. The lieutenant said they were probably the best rigment ever. One of the comrads started laughing at Henry because he was the only one firing... he was shooting at nothing. The enemy had left. Henry didn't know where this "hero" had come from. It was as if he had fallen asleep and woke up as this great fighter.

I think Henry will keep fighting. All he needed was some experience. He shouldn't be scared anymore. I hope he continues to help his rigment win the battles.

Question: Henry says he didn't know where the bravery came from, but I wonder, what changed his feeling about the battles? He had to do some kind of thinking about it to come up with the courage... right?

Chapter 16

In this chapter Henry's rigment waits in the trench. They start telling the general that it is his fault that they are losing every battle. Henry starts to worry about when someone starts mocking him. He is worried that they will figure out he is a fake. As the battle noises grow the men wait to attack.

I hope Henry gains the courage to fight. He is feeling bad about running away so I dont think he will run again. I'm thinking the generals send the army in to the enemy's hiding place. It seems like they are always being attacked.

Question: Do the generals put the guys in bad positions on purpose?

Quiz

Henry is referred to as "the youth" and Wilson is referred to as "the loud private." How has each character changed from the beginning of the story to now, specifically in regards to these monikers? Use specific examples from the story to support your answer.
Henry started out as a youth because he ran away from battle and lied about it, but now he is actually "maturing" and putting his life on the line. He decides to fight until his life ends.
Wilson is not the loud one anymore. He has calmed down a little bit since Henry took pride in what he got himself into.

Chapter 15

In this chapter Henry remembers the yellow envelop Wilson had given him. He wanted to talk to Wilson about why he still needed it but decided to keep it. Later, Wilson asked for the envelop. He didnt really like having it because it reminds him of how scared he was in the beginning. He was terrified of death.

I think Henry is going to starts fighting again. He is starting to understand the whole war thing.

Question: Why was Henry going to keep the envelop? What was he going to do with it?

Chapter 14

In this chapter Henry wakes up surrounded by bodies. He thought they were all dead, but he soon figures out that they are sleeping. Wilson asks Henry if he is feeling any better and Henry says he feels pretty bad. While Wilson is caring for Henry, Henry notices Wilson is not the lound soldier he used to be. He seems to have a hidden confidence. While Henry and Wilson are talking about the battle, Henry tells him that Jim is dead. Wilson tells Henry that the rigment lost over half of the soldiers the day before, but they have returned. The missing soldiers had run away just like Henry did.

I hope Henry realizes that he should tell the truth about running away. Other people have done it and they returned. Why couldn't Henry do the same? Live up to the actions he took.

Question: Will Henry tell Wilson that he ran away and that he hasn't been fighting as much as he has claimed?

Chapter 13

In this chapter Henry's lies go even farther. While making his way to his rigment's campfire Wilson calls out to him. Wilson is standing gaurd. Henry tells Wilson that he was shot in the head, after his rigment left him. Wilson takes Henry to get his head looked at and the doctor says, "As if someone had hit you in the head with a club." Wilson tends to Henry every need. Wilson brings Henry some coffee and cares for Henry's head with a damp cloth. He also brings Henry a blanket while Henry drifts off to sleep.

If I was Henry I would feel really guilty. People are really getting hurt and risking thier lives, but Henry is lying because he doesn't want to be thought of as a coward. When somebody figures out that Henry is lying, a lot of people will be mad at him.

Question: How much longer is Henry going to lie about running away?

Chapter 12

In this chapter Henry is watching the guys he had met earlier fight. The men in blue are beaten and they run towards Henry to get away. When they reach Henry, Henry grabs onto one of the guy's arm and asks whats going on. The guy takes his rifle and slams it against Henry's forehead. Henry starts bleeding and is in a daze. He's not quite sure where he is, but a guy with a cheerful voice helps him find his rigment, but doesnt go there with him.

I think Henry is going to be made fun of now because he is always worrying about being called a coward for running away and now he has a wound, but he's not even fighting.

Question: Is the cheerful voiced guy an enemy?

Quiz

1. What does the title of this book mean? Be specific in your response, noting Henry's comments.
Henry sees the other soldiers and notices their wounds. He calls this a red badge of courage because the soldier would have to have courage- unlike Henry, who ran away.

2. What is the importance of the tattered man? What does he represent?

I think he represents hope. He talks about his wife and children waiting for him to return home. He says he has to survive for them. He talks like everything is going to turn out okay.

3. What role does Henry's mother play while he is away from her?

She is caring. She might not want Henry to go to the battle but she is still there for Henry.

4. How does Henry use the squirrel to justify his actions?
He tosses a pine cone at the squirrel and watches it run away. He is proving that it is natural for someone to run when that person is in danger. Henry did and so did the squirrel.

Chapter 11

As Henry gets closer to the battlefield the noise get louder and louder. He gets to a spot where he can see whats going on. At one point in time he wants to join them, but makes the excuse that he has no gun so he cant. He starts the think that his side should lose because then he would have a point to running away. When this thought enters his head he feels evil and mean because he is wanting his side to lose just because he feels guilty about running away. What reason is that? Henry tries to come up with an excuse to why he ran away and why he cant join in the fight now, but he cant come up with anything. He is affraid everyone would be ragging on him all the time about being a coward and running.

I think Henry needs to get back in the battle. He has spent enough time thinking of excuses, but there is nothing to say. He is a coward and he needs to help his group win the fight. I'm sure there are plenty of guns laying on the ground for him to use.

Question: Why doesn't Henry grab a gun off the ground and help defend his country?

Chapter 10

The tattered soldier is amused by Jim's strength. He cant stop talking about it. He starts telling Henry that he doesnt feel very well, Henry thinks he is going to see another death, but the tattered soldier says he is not close to dying because he needs to live for his wife and kids at home. He tells Henry he should have his wound checked out again. This upsets Henry and he walks away. Henry believes the tattered soldier would die if he was abandoned.

I think Henry will need this soldier later on. Henry might not want to abandon him now because the battle is not over yet. Every person there to help fight is one step closer to ending the fight.

Question: Will Henry come back for the tattered soldier? He wouldnt let him die would he?

Chapter 9

This chapter is about the wounded soldiers. Henry is looking at all the wounded and wishes he had a "red badge of courage" too. While looking at them he realizes Jim is wounded. Jim tells Henry he was shot and needs to get to the woods so he doesnt get hurt even more. Jim tries to get to a couple of bushes to hide behind but dies. Henry and the tattered soldier watch Jim die. Henry is so furious he clenches his hand into fists and screams.

I think Henry is going to fight for Jim's honor. Henry doesnt want many people to die so I think he is going to go back to the battle and help the others out.

Question: Is Henry going to fight for Jim?

Chapter 8

Henry is stomping through the forest and hears the rumble of the battle. He follows the sound to try and get a better look at whats going on, but he comes across a stumbling man. This man is bleeding from the head and maybe a broken arm. Henry tries to avoid the injured man, but the man keeps talking to Henry about how brave he is because he never ran away. When the man asks Henry were he was injured, Henry walks away quickly to avoid answering the question.

Henry needs to decide to be in the battle or out. He cant keep running back and forth. People are talking about bravery, but Henry cant apply to that because he ran away and wont flat out tell people he is a chicken.

Question: Why is Henry running away from everything? First the battle and now running away from people to avoid a conversation?

Chapter 7

In this chapter Henry regrets running away, but he feels betrayed by the people in his group because they defeated the enemy without him. He goes into the woods and sees a squirrel. Trying to prove to himself that it is natural to run away when in danger, he tosses a pinecone at the squirrel and watches it run away. He goes to the chapel and finds a body sitting there staring at him. It is a soldier in a blue uniform just like Henry's. Henry runs out of the grove, half expecting it the call for help, but it doesn't.

I don't understand why Henry ran away. He was scared, but they had held the enemy only hours before that. I'm really curious about this corps in the grove.

Question: Who is the guy in the grove? Why is he there?

Chapter 6

After the enemy backs away Henry falls alseep. A short while later he wakes up, along with all the others, and they start praising the fact that they had held the enemy back. Henry thought he had gotten through the worst of the battle. He thought he had proven his courage but no more than two minutes go by and Henry hears the enemy is coming back. Scared, Henry runs away. While running Henry blazes past the general, but to Henry's surprise, the general said the enemy had been held.

I dont think Henry was expecting the battle to be like this. He wasnt ready for it. He's probably thinking about his mother. She said he would be better off at home, but he had to enlist in the army.

Question: Why did Henry run? He was scared, but why? They had already held the enemy once before why doesnt he think they can do it again?

Chapter 5

This chapter starts out with a mob of people running through the smoke, screaming. The army just stands there, "We've got to hold them back," says one. The enemy is getting closer and closer. Henry is freaking out. He does not want to be there. He starts crying, but quickly wipes his tears with the sleeve of his coat. Henry takes the first fire. Once the first shot is out of the way, Henry feels like a member for the first time. He felt the effects of the atmosphere- he broke into a sweat, his eyes dried out, and a horrible roar rang in his ears. Of course, now Henry feels the need to do more. He wants to run up them and strangle them, make them all back away at once. Men fell to the ground. They landed in strange positions you would have thought they fell from great heights to land that way. When the fighting was done, Henry looked around and noticed how golden and great Nature was. He wondered how it was possible for everything to look so beautiful when there was so much fighting and evil going on.

Henry now understands that his life could easily end at any moment. He could be the guy laying on the ground with a pool of blood surrounding him.

Question: Does Henry run away from all of his problems? He says he has courage but he seems to be running from everything.

Chapter 4

This chapter starts out as everyone is pointing their guns towards the enemy, but they cannot see past the smokey haze so they dont know what to shoot at. They are talking about Carrot. Carrot went to the hospital because he said he was sick. They are also talking about Bill. Three of his fingers were crushed so he went to the hospital too. When the doctor started talking about amputating them, Bill started all kinds of trouble. He didnt like that idea very well. All of a sudden, they saw the other flag start moving around. Bullets started flying through the air, knocking leaves and branches to the ground. Many of the soldiers had to duck and dodge the falling branches. Henry started thinking about how fast he would run to get out of there. He thought he would be the fastest of them all, but his legs were too weak and shakey to gain control.

I think Henry knows what he is getting into now. He wanted to enlist in the army because he thought that was God's plan but now he is realizing how scary the battlefield is.

Question: What is the monster Henry talks about? He says if he would see it then he could run faster. What is he talking about?

Chapter 3

This chapter starts out while everyone is sleeping. They have done a lot of marching and they are very tired. Henry is having second thoughts about this whole war thing. He doesnt want to be there anymore, he wants to go home, but he has no choice. He has to stay there and fight. The tall soldier handed Henry a yellow envelop and says, "Give this to your parents. This shall be your first and last battle."

I'm a little confused about the yellow envelop. Is it like a death statement in a way? I'm guessing it is a symbol of something, but I don't know what. *shrugs*

Question: What does the tall soldier mean when he says that? Is he going to die or is he saying he's a rooky who will not make it out alive?

Chapter 2

The next day everyone figures out that the tall soldier had lied about going to fight. Henry became restless. He was having second thought about the fight. He wished the battle would be done and over with. He didn't want to be there anymore. Henry thought his path was to go to the army, but now he thinks God has another plan for him.

Henry is confused. He thought God wanted him in the army, but now he thinks God wants him some place else. He doesn't know what to do.

Question: There is talk about something across the river. A monster? What is it? Who is the youth?

Chapter 1

In this chapter Henry has a conversation with his mom about going to fight in the war. She says he would be better off at home, but he wants to go anyway. When Henry gets the news about going to Washington he goes to tell his mother and she has a different attitude towards the whole fighting thing. Instead of telling him how much better it would be for him to stay home, she says, "Be careful." She acts as if Henry is in first grade again. Telling him to be a good boy and she packed some blackberry jam for him. She also says if Henry would have a hole in his shirt or sock he was to send them to her and she would fix it for him.
The group gets information from the tall soldier; he says they will start fighting. Henry starts questioning himself about war. He tries to prove that he won’t run away, but he's not one hundred percent sure.

In this chapter I can see the youth and maturity. Henry starts out on the farm with his mother, a normal young kid, but as he matures he decides to follow the path he thinks God has made for him.

Question: What changed Henry's mom's attitude about him fighting? Did she decide it's what he really wants?

Characters

Henry Fleming-- he is a farmer, he told his mother he wanted to enlist in the army, but she was completely against it. He didn't really care. He did it anyway. He is known as the youth.

Jim Conklin-- he is in the army. It is his idea to move in and approach the enemy from behind. Dies.

Wilson-- he is friend of Henry's. He tells Henry to give his parents an envelop if he would die, but he never dies so that is not necessary.

Tattered soldier-- he talks about going home, but he is abandoned by Henry and we never heard from him again.

Lieutenant-- he is always there with Wilson and Henry. He was always at their sides during a battle.

Henry's Mother-- she is against the idea of Henry in the army. She believes it is not safe. Although she is against it, she packs him 8 pairs of socks, his favorite T-shirts and some blackberry jam to make him feel as if he were home.