The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

            Currently, in ELA I've been reading a short story called “The Drummer Of Shiloh" by Ray Bradbury. This very heartwarming story that takes place during the Civil War, in one of the bloodiest battles; the battle of Shiloh. The story focused mainly on the bittersweet drummer boy of the war.  Joby, the drummer boy has mixed feelings about the war. He is scared and worried. But then when the general approaches him and talks to him, he feels better.

          One main thing that intruded me was how much poetic forms Bradbury uses. I mean Joby says how the fathers smelled like "tobacco, brass, boot polish, salt, sweat and leather". He also says how the general smelled like that. So maybe the general was like a father to him. Maybe his father smelled like that. He felt his father’s presence near him. Like the general made him feel a comfort like none ever did. He doesn't talk that much about his family. But what I can infer is that he ran away. The general probability made him feel a comfort that he never had before. It was something new for him. Also in the beginning of the story Bradbury says how a peach blossom fell on Joby. That could be like a starter. Perhaps a beginning of a something new. But new doesn’t have to mean good all the time. I mean it could imply how much one little thing means so much. Also, the story ends with the peach blossom falling on him. So that could wrap up a story. It could be like a mentor.

        Then the turning point; where the general talks to Joby and makes him feel more confident and braver about war. Joby was really upset, shy and mad about war, but then while Joby was crying, the general approached him and gave him a warm blanket around his feelings. He told Joby “You are the heart of the army” which meant how much the army is with Joby. It wouldn’t be much without him. Even if he has no shield, and wouldn’t fight. He is part of the army.

       All and all, Ray Bradbury uses many poetic forms that make you think and Joby is part of the army no matter what. One ways that this text can relate to real life is how people is part of  something no matter how slow or small their part can play. 

Audrey, Wait by Robin Benway

Over the summer, I've read the book, Audrey, Wait by Robin Benway. This book is about a girl named Audrey that breaks up with her boyfriend Evan. But she made a bad choice doing that. Because Evan wrote a song about their break up. The song is a world-wide hit. And well, she becomes a embarrassed harassed teenager that is depressed. One silly song made her life horrible. Audrey was this Gothic person, that always dreamed of being a rock star. But she was more than a star, she was a huge laughingstock. Everyone noticed her, even people that she'd never met. One thing that really sticks out of the book is that Audrey's parents are very supportive of her. No matter what they are happy about her decision. For example, they don't mind that Audrey is getting exposed to the public. Once she spoke to a reporter and went into personal details about her relationship with her and Evan. The reporter exposed all the details to the public and her parents were ok with that, they didn't give her a lecture about how you shouldn't do that. They said a message that "If the public wants to know, ok, let them know." I felt like this is a very big theme, which is don't let things get in your way, I mean how will it help others knowing about your personal life? Another thing that really sticks out, is that Audrey still has a normal life. Which is very surprising because she doesn't try to hide from paparazzi or not go outside. She pretends that people aren't staring at her or saying things behind her back. I think that is very strong. She doesn't take advance that she's popular. She didn't stop hanging out with her best friend, Victoria just because she's famous. Even thou, Victoria; her best friend is enjoying the popularity and taking advantage of the things.