The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

In the story “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh” by Ray Bradbury, the protagonist (Joby) seems to go through a major change from the beginning to the end. As I followed Joby on his journey through figuring out his purpose in life and who he truly is, not only could I relate to him on many different levels, but I also learned that the people closest to your hearts most likely end up having the greatest impact on the ways you change and grow internally.  

At the very beginning of the story it wasn’t easy for me to figure out Joby’s character because it seemed as though he himself wasn’t exactly sure. For example, on page 49 he describes the drums great lunar face peering down at him whenever he opened his eyes. Later on page 51 he is hoping that if he shuts his eyes he would be be to hide inside himself and no one would notice him. All of these details add up to my theory of how Joby is trying to become smaller and invisible because he isn’t sure of who he is. He feels as though there are things much greater than him (such as the drums face) and feels that he is worth nothing.

In contrast to Joby’s character at the beinning of the story, towards the climax Joby realizes how important he truly is. He begins to see not only one peach blossom, but all of them that are a part of the peach orchard. In other words, he begins to see himself as part of the army—part of the whole. I think Joby’s general had a great impact on the way he changed. For example, on page 53 near the climax of the story, Joby is thinking over about what his general had told him. In his head, the gerneral is already someone much greater than him (kind of like like his drums “great lunar face peering down at him”) so when Joby hears from him about how he is imortant and how he sets the beat in his men, Joby is, of course, quite touched. So when Joby started to take consideration of what his general had told him, he begins to see things from a new perspective; a different lense.

Personally, there have been times in my life where I have felt small and worthless. I remember when I was little and I would ask my mom to tuck me in (which I still do to this day). If she didn’t come for a while, I would lie in my bed wide awake for hours on end (well at least it seemed that long). I remember times where I would fall asleep thinking my mother didn’t love me (no matter how many times she told me she did throughout the day) and that she had more important things to do than give me a kiss goodnight. I can also relate to Johnny’s change. I mean, I think in this situation I just kind of grew up on my own and I now know that it’s not because my mom doesn’t come to give me a kiss goodnight that she doesn’t love me.

But then again, sometimes it takes some time until you figure out what caused you to change. Maybe Joby didn’t notice anything until he thought over his coversation with his general. I wonder if maybe someday I will be able to figure out if someone had an impact on the ways I have changed.