RBOC Questions Flashcards
(40 cards)
From whose point of view is the story written?
Third person limited omniscient
What did the loud soldier (Wilson) give the young soldier at the end of chapter 3?
A yellow envelope for his family
What does the loud soldier believe will happen in battle?
Wilson thinks he will die in battle
Why does Henry think it would be better to get killed directly?
He is overwhelmed by fear and sees death as a quick way to end his mental torment and the agonizing anticipation of battle
What made Henry feel like a mental outcast
No one else seemed to be worried about running from battle
What was the reaction of each soldier to the news? (tall soldier, youthful private, loud soldier)?
Tall soldier: happy to bring the news
Youth: watched and listened
Loud Soldier: argued that they wouldn’t be moving
What question caused the youth great concern?
If when battle presented itself, he would run from battle
What news did the tall soldier bring from the river?
The regiment would soon be moving into battle.
What was the outcome of the youth’s first battle?
The regiment won the battle, and he did not run as he expected
What is Crane emphasizing by having “the officers neglect to stand in picturesque attitudes”?
The war isn’t glorious as depicted, but rather gruesome and full of unorganized chaos.
Why did the youth feel wronged?
Because he thought everyone was running from battle so he ran, but everyone stayed and came out victorious.
What did the youth find deep in the woods in the chapel?
He found the corpse of a union soldier
Identify the tattered man, and why the youth didn’t want to speak with him
He is a wounded soldier, Henry didn’t want to talk to him because he felt guilty for running
What does Henry promise Jim Conkin in Ch. 9?
He promises not to let him die by getting ran over by the artillery wagons
What was the youth’s opinion of himself after the battle?
He was proud of himself and his actions.
What is significant about Jim’s initials?
His initials are the same as Jesus Christ, he serves as the Christ figure in the novel
Why did the youth wish that he, too, had a red badge of courage?
It was a sign of courage, and if he had one, he wouldn’t be seen as a coward
Why did the squirrels running make him feel better?
It shows that it is a natural instinct to run from danger, validating him fleeing from the second battle
What unexpected thing happened after the first battle?
The enemy attacked a second time
Explain: “He had slept and, awakening, had found himself a knight.”
During the battle, Henry didn’t think he just reacted and fought, he was no longer a coward. The avid fierceness and courage was always within him.
Explain the conflict of Henry vs. himself
He is his own worst enemy, he wants to be a hero, but in reality, is a coward
Why did Henry fumble with the buttons on his jacket?
Because he is lying about his wound and is feeling the pressure of his shame and neglection of duty
What change does Henry notice in Wilson?
He is no longer a ‘Loud Soldier’ but is matured and self-confident.
Why and how was Henry’s pride restored?
He realizes that he has Wilson’s yellow envelope, signifying that all soldiers get scared and he is not alone.
