"The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" by Ray Bradbury

In class, we read the "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" by Ray Bradbury. It was a beautifully written story about a 14 year old boy named Joby who is a drummer boy in the Civil War. In the beginning of the story, Joby has very low self-esteem, and doesn't think that he has a purpose in the army. "Me, I got only a drum and two sticks to beat it, and no shield," Joby  thinks to himself. He feels worthless and alone. He doesn't even think that he deserves a shield or gun to protect himself with,

The General of the army sees Joby crying and goes over to talk to him. The General tells Joby some of his experiences of wars, and gives him some advice. He tells Joby that he too had cried, thinking of everything that would come in the future, of everyone that would die or become wounded. He also tells Joby importances of being a drummer boy, and how much of an impact that Joby will could have on the soldiers. "You are the heart of the army. Think about that. You are the heart of the army," the general tells Joby. For example, if he beat a slow beat the next day, then the army would lag behing and lack energy. But if he beat a faster rhythm, "then the hearts would beat faster in the men." They would have more energy.

The drum plays a huge part in this story. It is a symbol that shows up often and is subtly referenced throughout the plot. In the beginning, it is something of a burden to Joby. It represdents the object that he has instaead of a shield and rifle.

The author describes the drum as having "a great lunar face." This metaphor is an obvious reference to the moon, which is cold and dark unless the sun is shining on it. That makes me think of what the drum is to Joby. At first he didn't see the light, or purpose of the drum. But once the general shines the sunlight on the lunar face of the drum, it is bright and inspirational.

Another thing that the drum represents is inspiration and hope, similar to the moon. The moon is a beacon of light in the dark night sky. It can be seen from anywhere in the World. Everyone is under the same moon. The drum is a beacon of light to soldiers. It is something that they can rely on, something that will keep them going. If Joby beat a "sure, steady, ever faster rhythm, then their knees would come in a long line over the hill, one knee after another, like a wave on the ocean shore."

Joby has hope that he will survive that battle, and survive the rest of the war. He doesn't give up even though he is risking his life. At the end of the story, Joby turns the drum up so it faced the moon. I think that represents Joby acknowledging his importance, feeling proud of everything that he has been through, and having a higher sense of self-worth.

War leaves many people broken- both mentally and physically. It causes pain, violence, separation, and death. Many soldiers will never fully recover. But one thing that all soldiers are left is with respect and bravery. They receive honors and medals. The general taught Joby that every contribution will make a difference, and to never give up. Soldiers have a lot of courage, bravery, and hope, and those are qualities that all people could benefit form having.