How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
But he instantly saw that it would be impossible for him to escape from the regiment. It inclosed him. And there were iron laws of tradition and law on four sides. He was in a moving box (3.15).
Duty is also a part of this "moving box" hemming Henry in and dictating his actions. He is as much a prisoner to his moral obligations as to his fear of sullying his reputation.
Quote #2
As he perceived this fact it occurred to him that he had never wished to come to the war. He had not enlisted of his free will. He had been dragged by the merciless government. And now they were taking him out to be slaughtered (3.16).
Henry tries to free himself of responsibility for his actions by claiming he never had agency over them to begin with. This is another mark of his immaturity and mental weakness.
Quote #3
He suddenly lost concern for himself, and forgot to look at a menacing fate. He became not a man but a member. He felt that something of which he was a part--a regiment, an army, a cause, or a country--was in crisis. He was welded into a common personality which was dominated by a single desire. For some moments he could not flee no more than a little finger can commit a revolution from a hand (5.13).
Henry acts out of duty and out of the loss of his personal identity. He can’t take credit for his actions because they are not entirely his.
Quote #4
A dull, animal-like rebellion against his fellows, war in the abstract, and fate grew within him. He shambled along with bowed head, his brain in a tumult of agony and despair. When he looked loweringly up, quivering at each sound, his eyes had the expression of those of a criminal who thinks his guilt little and his punishment great, and knows that he can find no words (7.3).
What is the difference between duty to the self and duty to the army in Red Badge? Are these necessarily conflicting principles?
Quote #5
He had fled, he told himself, because annihilation approached. He had done a good part in saving himself, who was a little piece of the army. He had considered the time, he said, to be one in which it was the duty of every little piece to rescue itself if possible. […] It was all plain that he had proceeded according to very correct and commendable rules (7.4).
Henry alters the meaning of "duty" to serve his purposes. Much like "courage," this is a subjective term in Red Badge.
Quote #6
While he had been tossed by many emotions, he had not been aware of ailments. Now they beset him and made clamor. As he was at last compelled to pay attention to them, his capacity for self-hate was multiplied. In despair, he declared that he was not like those others. He now conceded it to be impossible that he should ever become a hero. He was a craven loon. Those pictures of glory were piteous things. He groaned from his heart and went staggering off (11.18).
Henry is more concerned that he be like the other soldiers than for his own safety. His desire to be courageous is really just his desire to conform.
Quote #7
As he noted the vicious, wolflike temper of his comrades he had a sweet thought that if the enemy was about to swallow the regimental broom as a large prisoner, it could at least have the consolation of going down with bristles forward (20.26).
Note that Henry fulfills his duty not only in action, but in thought, too. His mental loyalty is what enables his loyalty in battle.
Quote #8
"'Mr. Hasbrouck!' he ses, 'by th' way, who was that lad what carried th' flag?' he ses. There, Flemin', what d' yeh think 'a that? 'Who was th' lad what carried th' flag?' he ses, an' th' lieutenant, he speaks up right away: 'That's Flemin', an' he's a jimhickey,' he ses, right away. […] and th' colonel, he ses: 'Ahem! ahem! he is, indeed, a very good man t' have, ahem! He kep' th' flag 'way t' th' front. I saw 'im. He's a good un,' ses th' colonel. 'You bet,' ses th' lieutenant, 'he an' a feller named Wilson was at th' head 'a th' charge […] He ses: 'Well, well, well,' he ses. 'They deserve t' be major-generals'" (21.41).
Bearing the flag is one of the most dangerous jobs in the army because you’re at the front of the line, you have no weapon, and you’re basically carrying a big old "fire here!" target. It’s pretty crazy that Henry has to risk his life to this degree to be praised by his superiors.
Quote #9
The youth had centered the gaze of his soul upon that other flag. Its possession would be high pride. It would express bloody minglings, near blows (23.12).
Henry tries to process his sense of duty through symbols. The flag is his way of understanding and making concrete his obligation to his regiment.