Question

Read the excerpt from the red badge of courage.

in this excerpt, henry’s regiment is getting ready for their first battle. after a time the brigade was halted in the cathedral light of a forest. the busy skirmishers were still popping. through the aisles of the wood could be seen the floating smoke from their rifles. sometimes it went up in little balls, white and compact. during this halt many men in the regiment began erecting tiny hills in front of them. they used stones, sticks, earth, and anything they thought might turn a bullet. some built comparatively large ones, while others seems content with little ones. this procedure caused a discussion among the men. some wished to fight like duelists, believing it to be correct to stand erect and be, from their feet to their foreheads, a mark. they said they scorned the devices of the cautious. but the others scoffed in reply, and pointed to the veterans on the flanks who were digging at the ground like terriers. in a short time there was quite a barricade along the regimental fronts. directly, however, they were ordered to withdraw from that place.


which phrase best explains how the author represents conflicting perspectives in this excerpt?


O by showing the soldiers’ ideas regarding how they should fight
O by describing the natural environment around the soldiers
O by describing the different locations of the barricades
O by suggesting the soldiers’ discussion was unnecessary in the end

Answer 1

The author represents conflicting perspectives in 'The Red Badge of Courage' by showing the soldiers' varying ideas on how they should fight, where some prefer to face the enemy unprotected while others take a more cautious approach by building barricades. The correct answer is A.

Step-by-step explanation:

The phrase that best explains how the author represents conflicting perspectives in the excerpt from 'The Red Badge of Courage' is by showing the soldiers' ideas regarding how they should fight.

In the provided text, soldiers are depicted as constructing makeshift barricades while debating different combat philosophies. Some prefer to stand upright without cover, contending this is the noble way to fight, while others adopt the cautious approach of the experienced soldiers, who take to digging like 'terriers' to protect themselves. This internal conflict illustrates the varied attitudes towards battle safety and bravery.

The debate culminates in the erection of a barricade that skirts the regimental front, underscoring the nature of war, where theories of valor meet the practicality of survival. Ultimately, the order to withdraw makes the discussion seem moot, hinting at the futility of their disagreement given the unpredictability and chaos of war.