In Chapter 8, of The Red Badge of Courage, what caused Henry to turn back to the frontline after fleeing?
(1 point)
Responses
He felt guilty about leaving.
He wanted to get back before anyone noticed he was gone.
He heard loud noises and was curious.
In Chapter 8 of "The Red Badge of Courage" by Stephen Crane, Henry Fleming, the protagonist, is overwhelmed by fear during his first experience of battle and flees from the front line. As the chapter progresses and Henry wanders in the rear of the army, he grapples with his shame and guilt for having deserted his comrades.
The specific cause that turns Henry back toward the battlefield is a combination of his internal struggle and external events. After engaging in various rationalizations and encountering wounded soldiers, he starts to feel a sense of shame for his actions. Moreover, a pivotal moment occurs when he overhears the loud noises of what seems to be an intense battle and the fear that his regiment may be winning without him. He is drawn by a mix of curiosity, shame, the need to find out what has happened to his regiment, and an underlying hope that he can redeem himself.
Here is a direct quote from the text that helps to understand Henry's motivation for turning back:
"He turned toward the tattered man as one at bay. 'Now,' he said coarsely, 'you've asked me th' same question th' eleventh time. I tell you, we're goin' to charge--we're goin' to charge!' Very sullenly he awaited the moment of assault in his mind."
His emotions are complex, and it's not simply one reason that causes him to return but rather a mix of curiosity about the loud noises of battle, the need to reconcile his feelings of cowardice, and the pull of his social and moral obligations as a soldier. Therefore, of the options presented, the closest reason to why Henry turns back toward the frontline is that he heard loud noises and was curious, although this is an oversimplification of the myriad factors that influenced his decision.