Drummer Boy of Shiloh Reading Response

     In The Drummer Boy of Shiloh by Ray Bradbury a 14 year old boy named Joby, runs away from home to join the Northern troops at shiloh in the American Civil War. He is the Drummer boy of his regiment and the army is expecting battle any time soon. At one point in the story Joby wakes up a few hours before dawn (and the battle) and is overcome with emotion about his purpose and his meaning in such a huge war. I think that in war, and in everyday life, a mentor or someone to look up too and follow is extremely important. In the story I think Joby is overcome by these emotions because he hasn't found someone to motivate him until along comes the General who takes Joby under his arm.

     One way the General helps motivate Joby is by helping him find what he means to the war. One point in which he does this is on pg. 53 when he tells Joby: "'You are the heart of the army. Think about that. You are the heart of the army.'" This shows Joby what his real job is in the army and gives him a deeper purpose. This especially helps influence Joby because of the General's role in the army. He is duch an important figure and to be speaking directly to the drummer boy could really impose such ideas. This helped Joby see how important he is, which makes him much more confident for the following days.

     Another reason I think Joby looks up to the General is because he describes him as a father figure. Generally, father figures can be very influential on a young boys ideas. One quote from the text that supports this is on page 51. "The man's knees cracked as he bent still closer. He smelled as all fathers should smell, of salt-sweat, tobacco, horse and boot leather, and the earth he walked upon."  This shows that Joby thinks of the General as a father figure. Another example from the text is on pg 52. "'You want to cry some more, go ahead. I did the same last night.'" is said by the general to Joby. This shows the General as a father figure because he is trying to support Joby.

     In the end, I thought that there were many reasons why Joby and the General have such an interesting relationship. Even though, throughout the story the General is cheering up Joby and making him feel more important and giving him a purpose, I think that the boy, Joby really taught a lot to the general. Like the General said, Joby is the heart of the army and it would be valuable for the General to understand his army better. Joby taught him in a brief conversation what the entire Army feels. I definetly thought this story had a lot of interesting points that could be elaborated on and I would recommend it to any reader.