The Drummer Boy The Drummer Boy of Shilohof Shiloh

byby

Ray BradburyRay Bradbury

ReviewReview

1.1. Where is the drummer Where is the drummer boy boy when the story begins? when the story begins? What is he waiting for?What is he waiting for?

The boy is lying under a peach tree, The boy is lying under a peach tree, as he awaits the next day’s battle.as he awaits the next day’s battle.

2. According to the boy, 2. According to the boy, what is what is his only defense? his only defense?

His only defense is his drum, which, His only defense is his drum, which, he says, is no more than a toy.he says, is no more than a toy.

3. Describe the General. What 3. Describe the General. What does does he say to help the drummer he say to help the drummer boy, boy, Joby, understand his own Joby, understand his own importance? importance? The General is a wise and experienced The General is a wise and experienced

soldier. He tells Joby that the beat of soldier. He tells Joby that the beat of the boy’s drum will inspire the soldiers the boy’s drum will inspire the soldiers to make their best effort; he says that to make their best effort; he says that Joby is the heart of the army.Joby is the heart of the army.

4. What does Joby do to his 4. What does Joby do to his drum at the end of the drum at the end of the story?story?

He turns it so the top of the drum He turns it so the top of the drum faces the sky.faces the sky.

5. How does the drummer boy 5. How does the drummer boy feel feel about his situation? Why about his situation? Why does does he consider remaining he consider remaining behind behind when the fighting begins? when the fighting begins?

The drummer boy is frightened, The drummer boy is frightened, lonely, and vulnerable. He considers lonely, and vulnerable. He considers staying behind because he fears for staying behind because he fears for his life.his life.

6. How are Joby and the 6. How are Joby and the General alike? General alike?

Both Joby and the General are Both Joby and the General are fearful, and both have shed tears fearful, and both have shed tears over the prospect of the next day’s over the prospect of the next day’s battle.battle.

7. What is ironic, or 7. What is ironic, or unexpected, in unexpected, in the dialogue between the the dialogue between the General and the drummer General and the drummer boy? boy? How is the boy the “heart of How is the boy the “heart of the the army”? army”? The importance that the General The importance that the General

attaches to the boy’s role is attaches to the boy’s role is unexpected. The General suggests that unexpected. The General suggests that the boy is the “heart” of the army in the boy is the “heart” of the army in that he believes his drumming will that he believes his drumming will inspire the troops.inspire the troops.

8. Why do you think Joby 8. Why do you think Joby turns turns his drum to face the sky? his drum to face the sky?

Joby turns his drum face up because Joby turns his drum face up because he has accepted his role.he has accepted his role.

9. Why, in your opinion, does 9. Why, in your opinion, does the General say what he the General say what he does does to the drummer boy? Do you to the drummer boy? Do you think it was wise for the think it was wise for the General General to speak so frankly to the to speak so frankly to the boy?boy? The General is doing for the boy what The General is doing for the boy what

he wants the boy to do for the he wants the boy to do for the soldiers—he is trying to inspire him.soldiers—he is trying to inspire him.

10. Joby is fourteen years 10. Joby is fourteen years old. old. Why do you think he Why do you think he and and other soldiers enlisted to other soldiers enlisted to

fight in the Civil War? fight in the Civil War? Why Why do people enlist in the do people enlist in the armed services today? armed services today? Joby may have enlisted because he Joby may have enlisted because he

longed to do something heroic—to longed to do something heroic—to fight for freedom. Many people today fight for freedom. Many people today enlist for the same reason.enlist for the same reason.

11. What advice does the 11. What advice does the General give to Joby? General give to Joby?

The General advises Joby to cry now The General advises Joby to cry now and get it out of his system. He tells and get it out of his system. He tells Joby to beat a sure, steady, long Joby to beat a sure, steady, long rhythm to keep the soldiers going.rhythm to keep the soldiers going.

12. How does Joby feel at 12. How does Joby feel at the the end of the story? end of the story? Joby feels more prepared and Joby feels more prepared and

focused for the battle to come.focused for the battle to come.

13. What is historical 13. What is historical context?context? The actual political The actual political

and social events and and social events and trends of the time—trends of the time—can explain why can explain why characters act and characters act and think the way they do. think the way they do. Look for factual details Look for factual details that link the text to a that link the text to a specific place and specific place and time period.time period.

EXAMPLEEXAMPLE

It was a long day of It was a long day of traveling. It was time to traveling. It was time to stop and rest for the stop and rest for the night. The horses were night. The horses were tired and needed fresh tired and needed fresh water. The children water. The children were already fast were already fast asleep in the warmth asleep in the warmth and comfort of the and comfort of the family’s covered wagon. family’s covered wagon. Darkness was Darkness was everywhere except for everywhere except for the multitude of stars the multitude of stars and full yellow moon and full yellow moon that lit up the night sky.that lit up the night sky.

14. Serious14. Serious

solemnsolemn

15. In a twisted way; 15. In a twisted way; crookedlycrookedly

askewaskew

16. A divine blessing or the 16. A divine blessing or the condition of being condition of being blessedblessed

benedictionbenediction

17. The state of living or 17. The state of living or lasting lasting forever forever

immortalityimmortality

18. In a way that follows the 18. In a way that follows the

rules; legally rules; legally

legitimatelylegitimately

19. Without speaking; 19. Without speaking; silentlysilently

mutelymutely

The EndThe End