Men are seen as "morsels for the dragons" which will eat them (kill them) and move on, just as the regiments move from battle to battle. When Henry runs for cover during the second wave "rows of cruel teeth grinned at him." (Red Badge, 450) and chased him, giving life to an otherwise inanimate object. War has always brought pain and suffering to people. From the death of the men who fight in them, to the women and children who are left alone to suffer without them. War doesn't just destroy families by taking away their lives, it also destroys them because of what each man believes can differ. The war of succession divided families based on morals: National government vs. State as well as to have slavery or not. Friendships are torn apart and household become split.

War really is a man-made monster and is easily found in The Red Badge of Courage. We as humans have come up with the rules of war, we supply reasons, and the manpower for was. Our wars kill not only us, but everything around us. Our nature, our relationships, and our lives. Crane is shows us that killer when he describes what Henry sees as well as what Henry feels off and on the battle field. By showing us how fearful and complex war really is the war starts to take on living characteristics. Crane also adds to this idea by giving bullets the chance to have teeth and to be able to bite. However, if war is made into something that happens that means there is something else creating it: man.