The Red Badge of Courage

He wished that he, too, had a wound, a red badge of courage

The Red Badge of Courage is a novel about the Civil War, and is probably the modern Trope Codifier for War Is Hell. The book is about Henry Fleming, a young soldier who flees a battle, but eventually returns to win the day.

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Tropes used in The Red Badge of Courage include:

• The American Civil War
• Child Soldiers: A lot of soldiers. Henry, for example, is still in school.
• Coming of Age Story
• Deconstruction: War Is Glorious? Think again.
• Dirty Coward: Henry at first before Character Development turns him into a total Badass.
• Do Not Do This Cool Thing: Averted, since there is very little warfare actually shown; Henry is fleeing for much of it, and in the end he becomes a man because he doesn't want to fight any more.
• Jumped At the Call: Henry, without realizing what he's doing until he's too deep in it. Considering it's The American Civil War, there were probably lots more.
• Oh Crap: Many soldiers, including Henry, panic when the Confederates charge a second time. Also when Henry and Wilson overhear that their regiment will be used as Cannon Fodder.
• War Is Hell: But the courageous get a badge! (The badge you get is made of wounds and death.)
  • Also this is the Civil War we're talking about, so wounds, death, intense pain and infection! JOY!