Coming of Age in That Thing We Call a Heart — Quiz
Question 6 • English Language Arts 10
Read the excerpt from The Red Badge of Courage. In this excerpt, Henry Fleming is reflecting on the marching he has done and is thinking about the pending battle. The youth had been taught that a man became another thing in battle. He saw his salvation in such a change. Hence this waiting was an ordeal to him. He was in a fever of impatience. He considered that there was denoted a lack of purpose on the part of the generals. He began to complain to the tall soldier. "I can’t stand this much longer,” he cried. "I don’t see what good it does to make us wear out our legs for nothin’.” He wished to return to camp, knowing that this affair was a blue demonstration; or else to go into a battle and discover that he had been a fool in his doubts, and was, in truth, a man of traditional courage. The strain of present circumstances he felt to be intolerable. Which statement best describes Henry’s perspective in this excerpt?
Answer
A
He is frustrated with the lack of action.
B
He is worried that he is too tired to fight.
C
He feels unprepared to fight.
D
He feels afraid and wants to quit.
Explanation
Henry is frustrated that the army is marching and waiting without doing anything. He complains that they are wearing out their legs “for nothin’” and wishes either to return to camp or to go into battle. This shows impatience with the lack of action, not simply worry about being too tired to fight.
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