The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

In the short story "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" by Ray Bradbury, the main character, Joby, receives help from the General of the troop. The General helps Joby find self-confidence and purpose through an item of resentment. The General makes Joby feel better by making him feel wanted. For example, on page 53 the General tells Joby that in order to make the army battle worthy, he needs Joby to beat his drum. Joby sits there, listening to his speech about how Joby is important and needed. Also, when the General first finds Joby, Joby is crying. Instead of scolding him about being weak, he encourages him, saying it's ok to cry before the war. It might even be better. The General also doesn't seem so surprised to see Joby there. As if the General was once a little boy who was looked down on; as if he was once a drummer boy who wanted to be a soldier.

The General also helps teach and comfort Joby by finding something that Joby can do well, and creates something new out of it. It's like the General took Joby's drum away, turned it into a secret weapon, then returned it to Joby with a new sense of importance. Everyone has probably has, or had done something they don't like, so they try to push it out of their minds. If you could just look at this thing, or event in a different light it might change into something wonderful, unless you are like Joby, and need someone else to shape it for you, and point out the opportunity.

I have been volunteering at ATN (All Together Now), which is a non-profit organization that lets adoptees mentor and take care of other adopted children, while their parents learn about taking care of adopted children. I have been taking care of a three year old girl named Tirha. Sometimes, during the day she misses her mom, and I have to do my best to distract her, and comfort her. I connect this to "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" because the General talked to Joby, and said the things he needed to hear. The General made Joby feel better, to the best of his abilities. When I talk to Tirha and try to comfort her I tell her that she'll see her mom really soon, and that she should color a picture, or make something for or of her mom. It's not like I'm preparing her for war or anything, but I still feel a sense of responsibility when Tirha feels bad, and it makes me feel proud when she feels comfortable. I feel like I'm preparing her for a time when she'll have to spend the day without her mom around, like when she starts school. By doing this I feel assertive and commanding like the General, and important like Joby.