The Drummmer Boy of Shiloh By Ray Bradbury

In the story, The Drummer Boy of Shiloh, the author writes about a boy, Joby, who is a drummer boy in the war. The author explains through the story how Joby, a fourteen year old boy who has to witness a war first hand, has a lack of self confidence. In the story his general talks to him about his importance to the war.

             

I think the fact that the general came along to talk to Joby is very important to the story. I believe it is important because no boy Joby’s age should have to experience being in a war, and if they did it is no good to have an “I’m not important” mind set. I know that if I had to go to war at my age I would be scared out of my mind, but making an effort to stay confident is the right thing to do. If Joby continued to behave with no self confidence he could’ve been hurt in a dangerous situation.

           

To me it’s kind of like the way you walk down the street, if you have your head held up highly in confidence you are most likely not to get bothered, but if your head is held down low like you have no confidence or direction, someone could easily sense your weakness and bother you thinking you won’t defend yourself. This situation connects to The Drummer Boy of Shiloh because in the story the author writes “Me, thought the boy, I got only a drum, two sticks to beat it, and no shield.” This shows that Joby lacks self confidence because he thinks he cannot defend himself, “his head is held down low”. Joby probably would have gotten himself into some kind of sticky situation if the general had not come around and knocked some sense into him.

           

In conclusion, self confidence is a good thing to have whether you are walking down the street or in the middle of an active battlefield. Joby might have only had a more confident attitude because of the general, but no matter where or how he got his boost of confidence, he really needed it, and no one should go through life with out it.