Character Analysis: The Drummer Boy Of Shiloh

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¨ The Drummer Boy of Shiloh ¨ by Ray Bradbury, takes place in Shiloh Tennessee. How would you feel is your younger brother at the age of 9 or son had to be involved in the war with older men and was a huge target of many of the enemies? Well the young boy in this story, that is exactly how he felt going into this. In the story, the main character Joby does not want to fight or be a drummer boy in the war. He does not want anything to do with the war. However, since he left his home at a young age and is now in this place he has to. Nevertheless, there was someone on this journey that helped Joby realize that he is very important and he will be safe. That man was the General, the general helped Joby realize that he was there for a reason and …show more content…

In the story Joby left home at a very young age and ended up becoming a drummer boy. He was nervous and really, really did not want to be a drummer boy in the war at all but then he has somebody known as the General come and talk to him about how his role is important in the war. The General tells him, ¨You're the heart of the army “(Bradbury 171). For example, this shows that Joby is a symbol to the soldiers and the war itself because Joby is the person who beats the drum for the soldiers to hear and gives the soldiers what they need to complete the war. Another way Joby is a symbol to the soldiers and the war because when Joby beats the drum it give the soldiers their orders so they know what to do. The beat that Joby beats also lets the soldiers know that they are close to home and there are still others fighting with them. The story General also says that ¨ Joby was his right hand and his left hand. He gave the orders but, Joby sets the pace¨ ( Bradbury 171 ). This proves that Joby is a symbol to the soldiers because he is the one who says how fast and how slow he wants the soldiers to go or how excited or sad he wants the soldiers to …show more content…

The General is symbolizes comfort and safety to Joby. In the story Joby was really, really scared and sad but the General was always there to tell Joby how important he was to the soldiers and the war. In the story it states that, ¨ I got to make one army of them. And for that boy I need you ¨ (Bradbury 171 ). This proves that the General symbolizes comfort to Joby because he is telling him that he needs Joby to help him with running the army. Another way the General symbolizes comfort to Joby is when he talks to him about how he is feeling towards the war. The story says “You ready for tomorrow or the next day, Joby? I think so sir. You want to cry some more, go ahead. I did the same thing last night. You did sir?¨ ( Bradbury 170 ). This proves that the General is comforting Joby because he is telling him that even though Joby is crying now it is ok because the General (him) did the same thing last night. The General also expresses his feeling with

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