Drummer Boy of Shiloh

   In the short story, "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh," by Ray Bradbury, the author uses unique writing craft that I found interesting. The metaphors an uses of imagery he uses throughout the text connect to each other in someway. He also portrays a message of sticking to reality.

   When the General finds the protagonist Joby to boost his confidence, he uses a metaphor to explain the point of his speech. "Well, when you got a bunch of wild horses on a loose rein somewhere, somehow you got to bring order, rein them in." This quote stood out to me because it is still relevant to life today, and will always be. My interpretation of this metaphor is that when something has gone to a person's head, something has to be done to bring them back to reality before it hits them unexpectedly.

   "I fear it will be full of boys again, just floating, at sundown tomorrow, not caring where the current takes them." This line creates really deep imagery that relates to the earlier qoute. The line where the boys "float carelessly", that's what will happen when the thought of being a hero distracts you. You don't know what you're in for, because you think that even though you are in a war, you aren't in harm's way. In this case, the soldiers die, become injured, or are forever scarred by the gory images of war. In reality, or present time, you are faced with dissappointment. Truthfully, no one is always lucky. Things can't always go the way you plan or wish for it to carry out. You have to prepare for something if you really want it, just like how you can't go into battle unarmed, and expect to win.

   In my opinion, I feel that everyone has gone through this in some way. Being unprepared, I mean. For instance, I didn't score high enought to qualify for an admission to Hunter middle/high school. I didn't study for it, unlike many others, and I wasn't prepared. I didn't win the battle against the exam. Now, I really want to score well on the SHSAT exam, so I am taking a Kaplan course. By doing this I am readying myself for the challenges that lay ahead. And I feel secure. Being aware of difficulties is part of being prepared. You have to be ready for what ever reality throws at you, which is the message of the story. But I feel that the message also gives off a bad lesson as well. It makes it seem like you shouldn't have dreams or hopes. It's like saying to yourself, "I won't try, because I know that I will fail." or like giving up before you start because you tell yourself there is no way you can accomplish it. But then comes the idea of preparation. When you have a plan, it is more likely for you to suceed. I feel that is something that a lot of people live by. People work hard to become that organized, to have a strategy or layout to what you want to achieve. So if you don't change the facts of the real world, then you have more control in how an event will result, because you won't be distracted by goals set too high or too low.