The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane The first steps in war are the steps to crossing the line of comfort by resolving the self-centered beliefs that will break you on the battlefront. Once you overcome those selfish traits and believe in yourself, that's when you thrive on the battlefield. Henry Fleming's desire for war was short-lived when he was placed on the front lines. Henry Fleming was a fearful, cowardly man who always gained self-control and comfort by talking to himself. He showed selfish traits throughout the book. Ahead of the Armageddon of war, Henry overcame his selfish ways and dealt the final blow to the rebel army. In The Red Badge of Courage, by Stephen Crane Henry Fleming overcomes fear, cowardice and selfishness that lead him to become a useful and admired person in defeating the rebel army. Henry Fleming's fear leads him to two different paths throughout the book. Once he overcomes his fear, he will be one step closer to becoming a useful aid in defeating the rebel army. Henry begins to think about what war is really like, and comes to a powerful point when he asks his regimental comrades “do you think any of the boys will run away” (Crane9)? His fears lead him to run away from battle. The men of his regiment do not help Henry because they are all ... middle of paper ...... Stephen Crane's Red Badge of Courage Henry's desire for courage did not come to him at the beginning of the war but at the end. Once he finally conquered fear, gained courage, and used selfishness to his advantage, war became easy and fulfilling. With Henry coming to terms with his inner self and not letting it take over, he became the true soldier he set out to be. Most veterans today can tell of the hardships and obstacles they once had to overcome to stay alive, as Henry would be able to tell. The greatest battle is not the war in front of you, but the battle that must be won within it to stay alive in the realities of battle. Work Sited Crane, Stephen. The red badge of courage. New York: Dover unabridged, 1990