Tompkins County Public Library

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Library to Host Discussion of “Red Badge of Courage”

In recognition of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Tompkins County Public Library, the Tompkins County Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Commission (TCCWSCC) and Buffalo Street Books will sponsor a Community Read of the Stephen Crane classic, “The Red Badge of Courage.”  A December 6 discussion of the book will be held at 6 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Facilitated by TCPL Librarian Sarah Glogowski and Aaron Sachs, associate professor of History and American Studies at Cornell University, the discussion will explore why “The Red Badge of Courage” is the only classic work of fiction written about the Civil War, examine the timely and timeless elements of the book and offer an in-depth look at the struggles and triumphs of the book’s protagonist.

Told in limited third-person narrative, the book tells the story of Henry Fleming, a Union Army private, so overcome by fear that he flees from his unit during battle, only to find himself immersed in his own personal struggle with guilt, truth and loyalty.

Crane, who was not yet born when the war ended, received abundant praise for the realism of the book, with some veteran’s even claiming to remember fighting alongside him.

The book discussion is free and open to the public.  Copies of “The Red Badge of Courage” are available for borrowing at the Library, courtesy of the TCCWSCC and Buffalo Street Books.

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