The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

     In the beginning of "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" by Ray Bradbury Joby lacked confidence but in the end the General helped him understand how important he is. I remember a four year old girl sitting on the side of the stage in her ballet shoes not wanting to go on and perform. Her parents came over and told her there was nothing to be scared of and she got on the stage and did her ballet routine with the rest of her ballet class. Even the simplest of words could help and change someones confidence.
     In the beginning of the story Joby hid behind his drum so no one would see him. 'There wasn't a man-boy on this ground tonight who didn't have a shield' page 50. When I read this I felt sorry for Joby because he was sort of left out and I also think this is why he doesn't have confidence because everybody has a shield and all he has is a drum, like the confidence is the shield but since Joby doesn't have a shield he doesn't have confidence.
     In the middle of the story Joby started to gain confidence because the General  came over and told him that it's alright to be scared. 'You want to cry some more, go on ahead. I did the same last night' page 52. This line shows Joby that he's not the only one with out confidence and is scared. It also shows him that even people with shields could be scared and lack confidence even the General. Joby starts to open up to the General and accepts his words of confidence.
     By the end of the story Joby gains confidence and isn't scared anymore of the war. 'Do you now know you're the General of the army when the General's left behind?' page 53. This part really boosted Joby's confidence because it talks about how important Joby's job really is,  how he is the heart of the army and not just a drummer boy. All of Joby's confidence was gained by the General just talking to him, so words really do go along way to boost someone' confidence.
     Joby is like every other kid who doesn't have confidence and then somehow realizes that they did have confidence, a shield to protect them from negativity. Even though it may not be in a war situation all of us or at least most of us have felt being scared or unconfident and everyone at some point needs kind words of confidence to help the move forward.