I need to come up with a metaphor for chapter 15 in "The Red Badge of Courage"

Question

In this chapter:
Crane reveals in this chapter a person who rationalizes his behavior totally, a personality with delusions of grandeur—but with no basis for these delusions—except for the idea that others’ weaknesses are greater than his. It becomes doubtful whether Henry can ever achieve true greatness since his only source of confidence comes from delighting in the weakness of others.

I don't anything that this connects to!

Answer 1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schadenfreude

http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/archive/2000/05/10.html

Maybe? It's been a LONG time since I read that work!