Your Opinion

[midnightshimmer]

do you think that henry in the end is? a true hero? why or why not?

[PabloQ]

I don't think Henry is a hero nor do I think he's meant to be. I think he is a young man who experiences war, becomes a soldier, and survives. There is no indication in the text that Henry does anything particularly heroic or brave.

The episodes associated with his running in the beginning are incredibly endearing, but not admirable from the view of what a soldier should be. I thought it was touching how he tried desperately to help his wounded friend and yet the best he was able to do for him was to help to find a comfortable place to die.

Although I don't believe him to be heroic, Henry is brave because despite his first horrible exposure he returns, albeit against his will. Once returned to his regiment, he goes on to fight and fight admirably. But what prevents Henry from being a genuine hero is when he saves the flag from falling to the ground, he doesn't rise to the occation to lead his comrades to action -- an action that we learn the officers would have liked to see them make.

So, brave, yes. Hero, no.