Wednesday, September 26, 2012

The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

                     In the Drummer Boy of Shiloh by Ray Bradbury, when the general tells Joby " “Now, boy. You are the heart of the army. Think of that.Youʼre the heart of the army. Listen, now.” Joby realized right then and there how important he was. He realized that he made a huge difference in the army's lives. This quote and realization leads me to a theme. The theme in the story that I came across is that sometimes it take another person to know how important you really are.
                      Joby realized how important he was from the general because before the generals long talk to Joby, he was feeling nervous, young, worried, and reckless. After it he was feeling good about himself, he also realized that (as it says in the text) if Joby beat his drum slowly, then the heart of the men will as well beat slowly.
                      The general also said "you are the general of the army when the general is left behind."  That shows Joby that the men have trust and faith in him. Being general is a huge job, and for Joby to be told that he is the back up general is a big deal. Imagine how he was feeling in that moment. I know that if someone with an important role in my life told me that I was second to his or her place i would be completely honored!
                      When Joby says towards the end how he will take on the army that is the sign of pure confidence blooming from Joby. Once he was told from another person that he was important he immediately realized it. So he went from being a small, scared, and worried boy into a confident man who knows his place.

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