The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

          “Maybe, many nights from tonight,  many years from now, when you’re as old as or far much older then me, when they ask you what you did in this awful time, you will tell them- one part humble and one part proud- I was the drummer boy at the battloe of Ow l Creek or the Tennesse River, or maybe they’ll  just name it after the church there.  I was the drummer boy at Shiloh.  Good grief, that has a beat and  sound to it fitting for Mr. Longfellow.  ‘I was the drummer boy at Shiloh.’  Who wil lever hear those words and not know you, boy, or what you thought this night, or what you’ll think tomorrow or the next day when we must get up on our legs and move.”  This is a quote from pages 53-54 of The Drummer Boy of Shiloh by Ray Bradbury.  The general is talking to 14 year old Joby, when he stated this quote and I think it is a very important one.

          I think this because it seems to be the definite point in which Joby’s sides seem to change from bad views about his stance to good, positive views about his stance in the army.  One reasonm I know this is because the general is using positive language to convince Joby that he really does belong in the regiment and that he plays an iimportant role.  He plays an important role because he has the role to lead other soldiers and other parts of the regiment.  I know that Joby did not feel like he belonged before the general started talking to him because on page 50 Joby says “ I got only a drum, two sticks to beat it, and no shield.”  This really shows and proves Joby’s doubt that he can survive through the battle.  This quote is also showing Joby’s laco of self-confidence because he is already under estimating his importance and over estimating his probability of getting shot.  Technically, Joby does not believe in himself. 

          Another reason I think this quote is very important and being the turning point is because in the beginning of the story, Joby gets scared by a peach blossom that awoke him bdcause the peach blossom fell onto Joby’s drum.  In the next paragraph, Joby turns his drum to face him so that if a nother blossom falls or something else the percussion of the drum will not awaken Joby.  After the general’s speech Joby turns his drum back facing upwards.  Even though Ray Bradbury didn’t say anything, I think it symbolizes that Joby is no longer afraid and that he is ready for whenever the battle occurs. 

          In conclusion, the general really helped boost Joby’s self confidence and helped Joby realize that he should beqat his drum proudly in the battle and that he shouldn’t doubt himself because there is no way that Joby know’s that he will deffinetly be shot at the battle.  This is why I think that the quote “Maybe, many nights from tonight,  many years from now, when you’re as old as or far much older then me, when they ask you what you did in this awful time, you will tell them- one part humble and one part proud- I was the drummer boy at the battloe of Ow l Creek or the Tennesse River, or maybe they’ll  just name it after the church there.  I was the drummer boy at Shiloh.  Good grief, that has a beat and  sound to it fitting for Mr. Longfellow.  ‘I was the drummer boy at Shiloh.’  Who wil lever hear those words and not know you, boy, or what you thought this night, or what you’ll think tomorrow or the next day when we must get up on our legs and move.”  Is the most important quote in this story.