The Drummer Boy Of Shilh Sparknotes

The story The Drummer Boy of Shiloh is a historical fiction novel about someone named Joby and his experiences with the war as a drummer boy. Joby, the main character of the story, first develops mixed feelings about the upcoming battle, unaware of what could happen. However, once the story develops, Joby finally changes his feelings about the battle with outside help, he finally accepts his role as drummer boy, and he starts to gain confidence. At the beginning of the story, Joby is fearful and very anxious about anything that could come his way. This is proven when, in paragraph one of the story, it is stated that "like panic, which jerked the boy upright. He listened to his own heart ruffle away—at last, gone from his ears and back in his

Further along in the story, it is still shown how nervous and unprepared Joby was before the battle. In paragraph 14, it is stated by the author that "if he lay very still when dawn came up and the soldiers put on their bravery with their caps, perhaps they might go away, the war with them, and not notice him lying small here, no more than a toy himself." It is stated that if Joby could stay still for a long enough time, the soldiers would just leave them behind, showing his unwillingness to be involved in the battle. However, after all that Joby tried to do, he finally got to be the general, which changed him for the better. Once Joby meets the general, he still feels a sense of fear around him, fearing the general himself. This is shown in paragraph 16, where it is stated that "the boy shut his eyes to hide inside himself, but it was too late. Someone, walking by in the night, stood over him." The quote shows how the general s presence alone is scaring Joby. Although the general starts comforting Joby by saying, "Here's a soldier crying before the fight,