What Are The Similarities Between Frederick Douglass And The Red Badge Of Courage

The realities of war and violence throughout history were expressed through writers such as Stephen Crane in his film, The Red Badge of Courage, and Federick Douglass in his writing of the “Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass”. Both authors describe the brutality of these historic hardships and the way people can change with the affects of their hardships. Crane and Douglass expresses both the concept and theme of courage through their writing.

Stephen Crane’s film, The Red Badge of Courage, follows a young soldier by the name of Henry Fleming fighting in the American Civil War. To Henry, courage is the willingness to stand and fight in a battle without fear. From the beginning, he strived to be a great war hero, but as the war went on he feared death and ran. He was disapointed in himself and was afraid people would believe he lacked the courage to stay and fight. Henry saw all the men around him with wounds, and instead of pitying them, he envied their bravery. He wished for his own red badge of courage. This inspired him to continue fighting and to redeem himself. Even though Henry is unsure whether his regiment will win the battle, he believes they are showing courage by risking their lives fighting for the

His “Narrative of the Life of Federick Douglass” focuses on the hardships of slavery and the effects they have on a spiritual and mental level. He states that the first months of living with Covey were the hardest in his life. “I was broken in body, soul, and spirit. My natural elasticity was crushed, my intellect languished, the disposition to read departed, the cheerful spark that lingered about my eye died; the dark night of slavery closed in upon me; and behold a man transformed into a brute!”(Douglass). The courage one must obtain to be able to just live the life of any slave is insurmountable. Douglass demenonstrated courage by taking risks, fighting for his freedom, and even brawling with Mr.