Shiloh Reading Response

As a three/four year old I started to see kids from my pre-k class throw tantrums once their parents were gone. Not that Joby’s that age. Although Joby’s main conflict is dealing with his family and as well with the war. Throughout the story Joby starts worrying about his family, his life, the war. He lays  down by a cherry blossom tree. Later on he discusses his difficulties with the general. “here’s a soldier crying before the fight. Good. Get it over with. Won’t be time once it starts.” Joby’s life seems  so complicated, and you see all the complex conflicts he has to go through. Such as letting his family go so he can participate in the war, technically saving his family. He has to let everything go and face the war. Since theres not much time anymore the battles right in front of him, his family’s gone, and his life will be at stake. Those are the greatest problems he has to deal with, not knowing what to do about his worries.

To be split up from family, is brutal to a child. During the story he lays down and imagines his family disappearing of into the distance. “But nonetheless firm and fiery devotion.” His family basically goes, leaving him alone. Not as if he could leave with them either way. Although they still are leaving him to suffer the consequences. Whatever life has for him.  To either die in the war or live to tell the tale as the general would describe it. It’s tough for him to face that theres no one by his side, which is someone around my age would need. This somehow manages to be one of his minor problems. Even though family is important.

The war is the biggest thing on Joby’s mind. Throughout the story he has to face being drummer boy. He’s by the blossom tree thinking about the war. And then discusses with the general about the war. “You boy,’ said the general quietly. “You are the heart of the army think about that.” Joby’s realization comes into how important his role is. That other people need him. It’s really hard for a child his age. The fact that he has to act like a man at such a young age. Having to grow up because of his family. Becoming a man when he hasn’t even started puberty. Mentally he has to prepare himself for whatever happens due to the war. He has to learn about the power of being drummer boy.

His own life is what he thinks about first. And throughout the story it’s displayed because of every worry he has. Everyone seems to be going away from his life slowly. “Me thought the boy I got only a drum and two sticks to beat it and no shield.” It shows how he feels defenseless because everyone around him is fighting meanwhile he has to “be the heart of the army” hoping nothing happens to him. If he truly is a very important contribution to the war why he is offered no protection. Then again who’d have enough soldiers. And even if they did wouldn’t they become a bigger target. His own life is everything. So many life’s are relying on him at that point.

His role as drummer boy is really crucial. He has so many worries. He’s been split up from family. Then the war is on top of him and everyone included in it. Also the fact that his life is at stake. His participation to the war is crucial because it’s not just his family relying on him its one whole group defending what they think is right . Which is most likely about 1000 people looking for a “heartbeat.” Now at my age I couldn’t imagine lives depending on me, because I am still depending on my parents something he should be doing.That’s why I think Joby is strong because he’s faced all his worries and he still is going to face whatever there is to come.