The above set of board notes review the plot chart of Ray Bradbury's "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh." Specifically, the students worked to better understand the climax within the story. Although many assume that the climax represents the most intense scene within the plot, this is not always the case. Bradbury's story, for instance, focuses solely on the psychological conflicts of fear and panic; all the potential "action" is a catastrophe imagined within the mind as the reader never see the upcoming battle at Shiloh.
Without such "intense action," students misplace the climatic moment within the story. Therefore, readers must view the climax as a "turning point," a moment when the character transforms and becomes a character who represents the exact opposite characteristics they exhibited at the beginning of the text. The character, as I informed students, performs a "180," hence the reason to call the climax the "turning point." For Joby, our story's protagonist, Bradbury introduced a boy who awoke in utter terror when a mere peach stone feel and hit the character's drum head. Therefore, the goal of the character should be his transformation into a courageous and focused character. The moment which defines this change arrives much later than many readers suspected; the climatic scene occurred whenever Jody, after having been inspired by the General's words on the importance of drummer boys, turns the drum head right-side up. This action shows that Joby is willing to risk another peach blossom to hit the drum head; however, this time our protagonist opens himself up to that risk (which earlier stirred much panic and fear within the character) and braves the repercussions. As the story comes to its close, readers have a character who demonstrates growth per his experiences (although imagine) in the story. Such should be the goal of all writers for their characters so they may better inspire and impart meaningfulness unto their readers.
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Ms. HutiraThe following blog allows students and parents to recap the class's unit lessons. Archives
January 2020
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