War has both shaken and captivated society since the beginning of human history. War stories have long enthralled the public, and images of great courage and heroic deeds have often transformed the public view of war into a great experience of combat for a noble cause. However, literature has also expressed other, less lionceral, positions towards war. The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane and In Pharaoh's Army by Tobias Wolff are examples of this different perspective. Although these are two very different wars fought for very different reasons, neither work focuses as much on the point or purpose of the war as it does on the experience of one soldier, whether at through fiction or non-fiction. Through the tone of their stories, Crane and Wolff both develop a position that war is not about glory or courage, but rather a monotonous struggle. Soldiers, for these authors, are more concerned with their own survival or image than with selfless courage in the name of a greater cause. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"? Get the original essay In The Red Badge of Courage, Crane develops his position in an ironic tone by pointing out the differences between the glorious thoughts of the main character, Henry, and the author's vivid description of the realities of war. Almost mocking the character, Crane develops his position on war, which he views as a monotonous struggle that has very little to do with altruistic heroism; rather, war is a state of self-preservation. The title itself refers to “a wound, a little red badge of courage” that Henry envied wounded soldiers (51). Showing that this superficial evidence of courage is more important to Henry than actual combat (which Henry avoids) reflects the tone of irony that Crane continues throughout the novel. The main character's thoughts are constantly filled with imaginings of glory - from "the strength" he felt "to accomplish mighty feats of arms" (7) to the "thundering and crushing blow" he designed “which would crush resistance and sow consternation.” and an astonishment for miles” (120) to his “pride” which was “entirely restored” because no one knew he had fled the battle, “so he was still a man” (82). In this latter example, Crane's ironic tone is particularly apparent when he presents Henry's thought as an almost logical error. Henry is presumably a man because “he had made his mistakes in the dark” (82). Crane contrasts Henry's thoughts with violent and vivid descriptions of war, including men falling "here and there like bundles", with "blood streaming widely down their faces, or "clinging desperately" to a tree “and crying for help” (34). . Crane's powerful descriptions of battle evoke a world indifferent to human suffering and make Henry's desire for glory seem foolish. Even when Henry performs a truly heroic action – raising a flag at the head of a charge that “seemed eternal” (106). as Crane described it in detail - it turns out that this advance was a very small and insignificant part of the great war struggle and, according to one lieutenant, "wasn't it very far, was it not ? (111) This is again a use of irony that develops Crane's position on the war. Not only does he present it as a long and painful struggle, but also as one in which the soldiers do not care about selfless actions for a greater cause. At the end of the novel,.