Henry's Relationship

In the Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane, Henry experiences different relationship with each of the characters in the story. Henry was a close friend of Jim Conklin, since they have known each other in school. Jim Conklin primary serves as a role model for Henry. Although Jim is also a rookie in war just like Henry, Jim displays a brave, courageous characteristic that Henry admires. When Henry asked Jim Conklin whether he will flee if other runs, Jim Conklin replied by saying he will do things along with the flow and trend. This comforts Henry that even his role model is willing to flee and retreat from battle. As for Wilson, Henry has also known him in school, yet he is quite annoyed by him. Although Wilson acted as if he is not afraid of battle by talking loudly, secretly Wilson is actually quite afraid of dying. During his first encounter with the enemy, Wilson is so scared that he entrusts his last letter to his family to Henry. When Henry returns to his regiment having a wound on his head, Wilson is a good friend of Henry that he tends and takes care of him. The tattered man deeply annoys Henry by questioning Henry’s wound. Henry is deeply annoyed by the question that it reminds him of being a coward without the “red badge of courage.” In the end, Henry abandons the tattered man, feeling guilty for leaving this lonely, hopeless man wandering in the field alone.