Reading Response- The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

    In the story The Drummer Boy of Shiloh by Ray Brabury the main character Joby is facing some changes in thoughts. In the beginning he was sleeping under an orchard tree. Everything begins to startle him in the middle of the night. He begins crying over all his fears and feels someone walking towards him. The person walking towards him is the general. The general was helping Joby get over his fears and feelings of the war. The general was a big influence in the book but how did he help Joby change towards the end of the book?

                One example is in the beginning of the story, Joby is noticing things around him and thinks to himself; “Me, thought the boy, I got only a drum, and two sticks to beat it and no shield”. Joby basically thinks that he`s not important to the war at all because everyone has a suit and protective shield and all Joby has is a drum. Joby may also feel neglected because maybe before the war he was more loved and appreciated by others around him but now he`s just Joby the drummer boy. What I mean by the drummer boy is that hes just their to play the drums, instead of others who are actually fighting for something and being appreciated or rewarded for it. Joby was their to maintain marching pace and that`s all.

                Another example is when the general comes over to Joby  and begins to talk to him. Then the general says “You want to cry some more go on ahead. I did the same last night”. The general is trying to relate to Joby. He`s was relating to Joby in a way that he`s telling him you can cry its ok because everyone else does too. Joby is crying because he wants to live like every other soldier and general their. I also think he crying because he may miss his family at home and is wondering why him out of all men had to be a drummer boy. Away from all his friends, family, Joby`s real home behind. So that’s why he is thinking so deeply to make him cry. I think that it was a really nice that the general said something that he wouldn't tell any other soldier but he decided to tell Joby because he saw his fear and thought he could relate to what he was saying.

                Overall through out the story general really helps enlighten Joby about the war.The general gives Joby a sense of hope knowing that he`s not the only one thinking or feeling these emotions. The general wasn`t just give him advice because Joby wanted it but because  he needed it. I definitely think that after the advice the general give`s Joby  that Joby is more confident and secure about himself because right now Joby is scared and feels non-appreciated by people around him.