Drummer Boy of Shiloih

In “The Drummer boy of Shiloh” by Ray Bradbury Joby realizes that he is important. In the beginning of the short story is just a scared drummer boy, by the end he realizes that he is important after he talks with the general. I think this because when he is talking to the general he gives him some encouragement by saying you are the heart of the Army and making Joby feel at home. I think that some of the things the general said helped straightened Joby’s confidence. This really makes me think about importance of people and things in life.

One example of Joby realizing that he is important is when the general says “You are the heart of the Army”. This motivated Joby because the general also said, “You can control the attitude of the Army”. If he is playing a slow beat the army marches slowly if he is playing a fast beat the army marches quickly. I think Job felt like a big part or chunk of the army, when the general said that I know I would.

Another example of Joby realizing he is important is also from the general. He said, “Go ahead and cry, I did the same last night”. When the general said that I know Joby felt at home and as if the general was a mother figure, or in this case a father figure. Usually from experience a general would be barking orders at Joby and tell him to get his act together but this general made him feel like an important figure.

When Joby realizes his importance that was a major turning point in the short story. Reading this makes me think more about the meaning of people in life, and how it is important to know who you are and what you are here for. It makes me want to look and the mirror and think to myself who am I and what am I here for?