The Things WE Carry
The Red Badge of Courage
Henry, the main character of the red badge of courage, deals with not only the physical exhaustion of war but the mental bearings as well. He carries many tangible and intangible objects and ideas around with him.
Intangible
1.) Guilt- Henry is feeling guilty because he seems to be the only one that thinks that the war effort is crazy. He is the only one who is concerned that they may run at the first sight of battle.
2.) Remorse- Henry feels bad about joining the army. He thought it was going to be grand and romantic when he left home but it wasn’t. Know he wants to return home to his farm where the work was hard but worthwhile, unlike this war.
3.) Sadness- The youth in the army were tricked into joining. They were promised to see battles, action and heroism, but instead they sit waiting in boredom for their next orders. They were tricked into believing that there efforts will be of a romantic war type.
4.) Hope- the tall skinny soldier is always coming up with word of orders from the generals. He is hoping to see the actual battlefront, to see some action.
5.) Patience- The battalion is always waiting for their next orders. Patience is a virtue.
Tangible
1.) Guns- All soldiers carry a firearm. While the men were marching one soldier dropped his gun and reached for it only to have his hand crushed by the marching of the following soldier.
2.) Knapsacks- One heavyset soldier fought with a young civilian girl over her horse. He was trying to use it to carry his knapsacks. One can infer that these were heavy because as the soldiers went deeper into their march many of them left their knapsacks hoping to lighten their load by only carrying a gun and clothing.
3.) Tents- All soldiers carried tents. They set them up in the fields at night to protect themselves from the elements.
4.) Warm clothing- When Henry leaves his mother gives his warm sweaters to protect him from the cold. She tells him to send them home as soon as they need mending so she can darn them.
5.) Tins- In one scene in a tent Henry sees tins blowing in the wind hanging on the walls of a tent that almost burned down due to the crappy flue.
What do I carry?
1.) Guilt-just like everyone else
2.) Intellect-knowledge that is unbeknownst to others
3.) Clothing- everyone wears it. Its all the rage.
4.) Reputation- everyone has a history, mean, tall, rude, blunt…
5.) Skill- mad skills- axelogical ontology
6.) Stuff- Traveldrive x2, a pen, a pencil, a headband, a lot of hair, and some lint
