Henry's Relationships

Henry's relationships with the characters in the Red Badge of Courage all vary differently. These relationships with his peers as a fellow comrade in the army has shaped his decisions in how he would react to the situations in war. An example would be that his decision to run away was strengthened when Jim Conklin said that he would run away too if others had ran as well. They're good friends and their relationship is a well-nourished one. With the tattered soldier, Henry dislikes his comments because it could debunk the fact that he ran away from the battle, with his repeating comments and haranguing of Henry of how maybe, he's got those "inside wounds". These relationships have been vital to Henry's development in character, explaining some of his actions and shaping the path for his mind to embark on the next time he makes a decision, because he's always looking for acceptance from his peers and being viewed as valorous and honorable.
Many times over, a large portion of our brains demands acceptance socially. In this context, his environment is a warfield, so he demands social acceptance in this zone from the perspective of seeking acceptance of his ideas of war. Although many times over he goes back on his own principles and acts in a sanctimonious manner that invalidates his own beliefs, he still seeks refuge in their social acceptance of his ever-changing metamorphic  ideas.