Thoughts on The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

Hey Readers! Today’s post is on The Drummer Boy of Shiloh by Ray Bradbury.

“You, boy,” said the general quietly. “You are the heart of the army the army. Think about that. You are the heart of the army. Listen to me, now.” In this passage the General of the Army is guiding Joby (The Drummer Boy) by explaining that what his role is. What his importance is in the battle.

To clear things out, Joby is a boy who is scared because in anytime there is going to be war. He is going to have to face the challenge and be the DRUMMERBOY. In my opinion I think that the General is kind of like a father figure. Joby feels like his job has no meaning to it. “I got only a drum, two sticks to beat it.” This proves that Joby dislikes his job.

 Ok then, onto the father figure part.  I think the general is the father figure because he is helping Joby and guiding him. In the passage he says “here’s a soldier crying before the fight. Good get it over, won’t be time when it all starts.” He also says “you want to cry some more, go on ahead. I did the same last night.” The general also proclaims that a drummer boy is very important. If the general is missing it will be the drummer boy who will be taking over and guiding the soldiers. The general would shout the orders and Joby would set the pace. “I was the drummer boy at Shiloh. Who will ever hear those words and not know you”

In Conclusion, I think that the general is the father figure because he is just like my father. If I ever fall into a problem, my father will be there to help me. And that’s case with Joby and the general.