Boy Of Shiloh

Writing: Compare-Contrast Essay
‘’The Drummer Boy of Shiloh’’
‘’Drumbeats and Bullets’’


November 27, 2012
‘’The Drummer boy of Shiloh’’ isa short fiction story by Ray Bradbury and ‘’Drumbeats and Bullets’’ is by Jim Murphy. ‘’The Drummer boy of Shiloh’’ is a nonfiction story about aboy that was scared of the battle the night before. On the other hand, ‘’Drumbeats and Bullets’’ is about drummer boys in battle.

Both storieshave many similarities. First of all, they both mention the Battle of Shiloh. They are both about how a drummer boy life was. These stories describeabout the different feelings that drummer boys felt. Also, in the two stories it is mentioned the Shiloh Church and the blossoms of the peach tree.They have many differences though. The attitudes toward, war, the dangers faced, role in the battle, and the age of characters was different. In‘’Drumbeats and Bullets’’, they are brave and eager to serve in the war and are determined to fight. They are exposed to enemy fire targeted by the enemy.The boys were 11 to 18 and their role was to communicate orders to soldiers. In the other hand, in ‘’The Drummer Boy of Shiloh’’, Joby is 14 anddrummer boys set temple for the troops and inspire them. He also has to fight with no weapon and wants war to disappear. But at the end, he wants tofight.

This stories show the bravery of drummer boys and what was the use of them in those times. Both stories taught me about past wars.