The Red Badge of Courage

This coming-of-age play is a riveting battlefield drama that follows Henry's emotional journey to the meaning of courage. Henry's glamorous image of war leads him to enlist with excited anticipation. He soon finds himself engrossed in a very real conversation with the other young recruits about whether they each will run or stand and fight when faced with an actual conflict. The first battle proves too frightening for Henry, driving him to escape to the woods. After rationalizing his self-preservation, he encounters a fatal wounding of his new friend, Jim. Devastated, he vows to take care of Jim, and grants his dying wish to be moved away from the threat of trampling hooves. Returning to his regiment, Henry finds his comrades unaware that he ran, and decides to preserve his pride by fabricating a story of battle survival. He then redeems himself in the ensuing battle. Henry and his comrade, Wilson, overhear their general speaking highly of their regiment, and revealing a plan to order a charge of the Rebel flag. Henry and Wilson decide it is their destiny to be carry out the plan, and after much bloody fighting, Henry manages to take the Confederate flag. Together they celebrate victory, finding that although shortly before this day they had joined the army as boys, they have finished as men. Music in book.