There aren't that many characters in the "Drummer Boy of Shiloh," by Ray Bradbury, but the General of the army still holds major significance. He leads and guides the main character, Joby. Joby is a drummer boy in the Generals army.
In the beginning of the story, Joby is sleeping by a peach tree. He wakes up, startled by a ripe peach falling onto his drum, which lays beside him. He starts crying. He says to himself in his head, "Me, I'm just a boy. I'm just a boy with a drum, and two sticks to beat it.I ain't even got a shield." His confidence is at rock bottom. He believes he is pointless, just an extra. He feels useless, like no one needs him.
This is where the General comes in. He sees Joby crying, and he starts talking to the young boy. He realizes that Joby is insecure about himself, and his position in the army. The general is sincerely listening. My mom listened to me like that once. She was listening to me complain about my body and about myself, gently wiping my tears away. She told me that I am perfect. The General tells Joby that he needs him to make real army men out of those soldiers. "You boy," the General spoke to Joby softly. "You are the heart of the army. Think about that. You are the heart of the army, listen to me now." He tells Joby that he pretty much controls the army. If he beats his drum slowly, the men would be sluggish and tired. If he beats fast, the men would fight with vigor. That boosts up Joby's confidence greatly, and Joby is listening, letting it sink in.
The General finally gets through to Joby, and he makes sure that Joby knows how important he is. He makes him understand his significance. The General has changed Joby from a boy, to a real man. That is the importance of the General- life changing.
P.S. I'm hungry...
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