14 year old Joby is in a
dangerous situation. In “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh,” he’s unjustly serving as a
drummer boy and he has no way to fend for himself. He must shake off his nerves
in order to survive the combat. He can’t let the war destroy him.
Joby feels that he’s just a tiny object, knowing the real men will bounce him around. He is
only 14, going up against men at least a few years older then him. To make
things worse, Joby is in the very front because he’s the drummer toy. “And not
notice him living small here, no more then a boy himself (pg. 52).” Joby
understands that the older men will take advantage of him, treating him like a
toy. What he really needs is some motivation. Self-confidence can help
everybody when they’re feeling down or timid.
The General helps Joby feel less vulnerable leading the
army. It really helps to get valuable information from a respected leader.
“Stand up, bare the breast, ask to be a target, thank them and sit down (pg.
53).” The general is pretty much telling Joby to be a man, accept that they
want to come at you, but they can’t hurt you. That symbolizes a leader. Leaders
are proud, which is how the general help makes Joby feel.
War is a learning process. It also requires taking on the responsibility of being a true
leader. The General, the former
leader, passed on his knowledge to Joby, the new leader, even calling him “the
heart of the army”. Now Joby has the motivation, he has the confidence, and he
has the pride. Hopefully good results pass onto the battlefield with him.
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