When President Abraham Lincoln called for volunteers to join the Union army in May 1861, one of the first to answer was an Ohio boy named John Clem. The 10 year-old was turned away by a couple of regiments but then joined the 22nd Michigan, where the officers agreed to adopt him as their mascot and drummer boy. They also chipped in to pay his $13 monthly salary.
Drummer boys were the youngest soldiers in the Union and Confederate armies, yet they often gained the respect of their countrymen for their bravery and steadfast loyalty. They were responsible for beating out vital battle orders and communication signals, putting themselves in harm's way from the start of the fight to its conclusion. They were also relied upon to police the field, carrying wounded men and burying their slain.
Bradbury uses this story to highlight the importance of the drummer boy in leading the troops into battle. As the story unfolds, the drummer boy goes from being scared to a determined man.
Big Idea: Joby believes that he has no role in the war, when in reality, he plays a very important one. He is responsible for setting the pace of the battle by introducing rhythm and beats to the soldiers that will help them fight with a strong spirit.
Key Understanding: The general in the story gives Joby helpful advice that helps him understand his importance as the drummer boy. He tells him that he is the heart of the army, which makes Joby realize how important his role is to the rest of the soldiers.
The general also teaches Joby that he must be strong and determined. As he explains the importance of his role, Joby takes action to show that he is taking control of his fear. He swallows, wipes his tears, clears his throat, and settles himself, which are all acts that indicate that he is learning to overcome his fear.
In addition to the story's focus on Joby, Bradbury's narrative explores masculinity in an original manner. He portrays the general as a man who is very masculine but also encapsulates some stereotypically feminine characteristics, such as being salty and having ginger tobacco.
He also discusses the relationship between the drummer boy and the general, which helps the audience see how the two roles are interconnected. As the story progresses, the general and the drummer boy work together to prepare Joby for the coming battle and lead him through it successfully.
When the drummer boy and general meet for the first time, Joby is crying and terrified of the upcoming battle. The general tries to reassure Joby that everything will be fine.
This calming, supportive conversation between the general and the drummer boy gives Joby hope that the battle will be successful. The general teaches Joby that he must be brave and determined, and that his drum is his lifeline, helping him lead the troops into battle.
The drum is the most important instrument in the army, because it is the pulse that sets the pace for the soldiers to fight with a spirit of unity and courage. Without the drum, the soldiers would not be able to fight.
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