The Red Badge of Courage · Chapter
XX explained
The regiment retreats in disarray under heavy fire, with Henry and the lieutenant struggling to rally the men.
What happens
The regiment retreats in disarray under heavy fire, with Henry and the lieutenant struggling to rally the men. After a fierce exchange, the enemy withdraws, leaving the blue regiment with a renewed sense of pride and confidence.
Themes in this chapter
Courage and Cowardice
Henry struggles with his own courage as the regiment retreats, feeling shame and rage, yet later finds renewed pride after the enemy withdraws.
Comradeship and Isolation
Henry and Wilson support each other, but the regiment disintegrates as soldiers prioritize self-preservation over reputation.
The Mechanics of War
The chapter details the chaotic retreat, the exchange of volleys, and the regiment's eventual rally, illustrating the impersonal and mechanical nature of battle.
Characters to notice
- Henry Fleming
Carries the flag, scuffles with Wilson over it, feels shame and rage at the retreat, and later experiences a surge of pride after the enemy withdraws.
- Wilson
Approaches Henry with a sense of farewell, scuffles over the flag, and supports Henry in the retreat.
- the lieutenant
Wounded in the arm, curses powerfully, and shares a fellowship with Henry in trying to rally the regiment.
- the officer
A red-bearded officer with a voice of triple brass commands the men to shoot; Henry harbors hatred toward him for calling the men 'mule drivers.'
Key passages
“They supported each other in all manner of hoarse, howling protests. But the regiment was a machine run down.”
Henry and the lieutenant shouted together in frustration, but the regiment had lost all momentum and could not be rallied.
Highlights the theme of comradeship amid the breakdown of military order.
“It was difficult to think of reputation when others were thinking of skins.”
Worrying about honor became impossible when everyone else was focused on survival.
Reflects the conflict between courage and self-preservation.
“The youth, peering once through a sudden rift in a cloud, saw a brown mass of troops, interwoven and magnified until they appeared to be thousands.”
Henry caught a glimpse of the enemy through the smoke, and they seemed like an overwhelming, countless force.
Illustrates the disorienting and terrifying scale of battle.
“He had thought of a fine revenge upon the officer who had referred to him and his fellows as mule drivers. But he saw that it could not come to pass.”
Henry had imagined getting back at the officer who insulted them, but the failed attack made that impossible.
Shows Henry's internal rage and sense of humiliation.
“The impetus of enthusiasm was theirs again. They gazed about them with looks of uplifted pride, feeling new trust in the grim, always confident weapons in their hands.”
The soldiers regained their fighting spirit and looked around with pride, trusting their rifles once more.
Captures the shift from despair to renewed confidence after the enemy retreats.