The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

In the short story 'The Drummer Boy of Shiloh' by Ray Bradbury, the main character, a 13ish year old boy called Joby, goes through a lot of internal changes. He starts out scared and doubting his position in the army and ends up brave and ready to go into battle as a drummer boy.

Joby ran away to join the Union army at a young age. He probably wanted to be admired, honored, and important, which he probably wasn't at home. Many people ran away to fight in the Civil War at that age or older because they thought the war would be short and that they wouldn't be harmed plowing a path for victory. They thought that it would bring them glory and fame in their small towns, but many of them ended up dead. Now, Joby is terrified and is regretting joining as he realized that he ran away from home and safety into a scary, dangerous war. He knows that there is a very big possibility that death will claim him, especially with just a drum and two drumsticks to protect him. He knows, unlike many other soldiers, that the war is unpredictable and they aren't granted immortality because of their youth.

When the General spots Joby crying, he goes over and starts talking to him. He tells Joby that it's alright to cry, he did too. He says that Joby can make the soldiers strong and brave going into battle, or he can let them admit defeat. As Joby listens to him, he realizes that he is important. There is still the very real possibility of death, but he realizes that he is needed by the general and running away wasn't completely useless. He knows that he will be respected as the Drummer Boy of Shiloh.

When people realize what the worst that can happen in a situation is, they end up regretting doing whatever got them into that situation. But once they realize that the situation isn't hopeless, they start having hope again, like Joby did.