Reading Response #4

Title: The Drummer Boy of Shiloh
Author: Ray Bradbury

  In war it is important for soldiers to feel strong and confident. But Joby feels the opposite. In “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh” by Ray Bradbury, Joby is the drummer boy of Shiloh. Joby’s a boy who has no confidence in himself. He thinks to himself: I am not important to the army. But throughout the story Joby goes through many changes. He gains confidence and he believes in himself as a drummer boy.

    In the beginning of the story, Joby is a fourteen year old boy who is very worried and has no confidence in himself. For example on page 49 there is a line that says “At midnight a peach stone left miraculously... it struck once, like panic, it jerked the boy right up.” By reading this quote I can tell that Joby is easily scared because he is at war at such young age. Joby get’s scared easily because he doesn't know when the war starts. He get’s waken up from sleep easily probably he can’t sleep well because of the ground on an April night. This means he doesn't get enough sleep.

    Towards the middle of the story Joby gains confidence. The General of the Army comes and gives Joby advice. The general makes Joby feel important; he states “You are the heart of the army. Think about that. You are the heart of the arm. Listen to me now.” After I read this I can tell that the general is like the motivator or the mentor of the story. The general makes Joby feel important. He says that Joby is as important like the rest of the army. Another example that is stated on page 53 is “So there you are, that’s it. Will you do that, boy? Do you know that you’re the General of the Army when the general’s left behind?” Reading this quote I can tell that the general is showing how important Joby is.

   At the end of the story I can tell that Joby has changed his feelings. Joby has been worried at the beginning of the story. But as Joby get’s advice from the general, Joby has gained confidence. For example, on page 54 Joby stares for a while at the sky. Joby wipes his tears, clears his throat and settles down. Lastly, Joby turns his drums over so it faces towards the sky. By reading this paragraph I can tell that Joby is finally showing peace to the war and himself. Even though he doesn't know what will happen during the war. Joby is gaining confidence and showing he is not scares. Joby also shows that he is important to the army.

    After reading the whole story I get the sense on how soldiers feel during the war. Reading the story I can connect with Joby on why he is scared. At such young age he has no choice, but to go to war. Joby is probably homesick, or even lonely because he misses his family and he wants to be with them again. I would probably feel the same way because my family is much more important that war. But at the end with the generals help Joby gains the confidence and importance of the army.