The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

In the story "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" by Ray Bradbury, Joby is a young drummer boy in the army contemplating his importance in the fight. The author uses symbolism to describe changes in the character more deeply.
 
One of the symbols Mr. Bradbury uses most is the peach blossom, which pops up repeatedly throughout the story. I think the peach blossoms symbolize the growth and change in Joby. Peach blossoms grow from an unnoticeable bud into a beautiful flower. In the story, Joby at first thinks he isn't important, but by the end realizes that he is the "heart of the army", the one thing that will keep it alive.

Another symbol that the author uses is Joby's drum. I think the drum symbolizes Joby's mind and thoughts. At the beginning of the story, Joby places the drum on its side, facing him, so that the falling peach blossoms won't hit it. This is a sign of Joby's closed-mindedness. At the end, Joby turns the drum so that it is facing the sky. This shows how his mind has opened to new ideas.

Ray Bradbury's Civil War-era short story is chock-full of interesting symbols. I think these symbols are a good way to enhance a story and make readers think as they take in the information.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing

    
 The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing (Vol. I, The Pox Party), by M.T. Anderson,  is a novel about an African boy living in scientific facilities in the 1700s. Octavian lives through many emotional changes during the course of the story.

At the beginning of the book, Octavian is an innocent child who abides by the house's rules and does his daily routines without a complaint (no matter how strange they may seem to us). He is taught to weigh his feces every time he makes them for scientific observation, and is constantly being watched by one of the masters of the house.

One night, Octavian sneaks into a forbidden room. In it are volumes of notes and drawings of him and his mother. It is there that he realizes that he is yet another of the scientists' experiments. After this realization, life starts to go downhill for Octavian. The house changes hands and is now being funded by some gentlemen insisting on proving the inferiority of the African race. Octavian's mother, Cassiopeia, dies, and Octavian starts being mistreated, until he runs away.

As Octavian started to realize the horrors of 16th-century America for an African, I was immediately reminded of the story of Adam and Eve. At first, they so are innocent and happy. When they eat the apples from the forbidden tree, however, they gain knowledge of their nudity and awareness of good and evil. Then, they too are faced with a new world after having so much time in Paradise.

Although I did not finish the book, I found the intense character changes in Octavian very interesting to read about. This book is a complex twist on historical fiction–  it is set in 16th-century colonial America but the events in it seem more fit to fantasy.  This is definitely not an easy book to read.

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

After reading Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs, which explains the ups and downs of his personal life and career, I came to realize that Steve Job's strongest point was his ability to see how art and technology could come together to form something even better.

Early on, when he was working with the Mac Team on the creation of the Macintosh computer, he always insisted that the internal workings of the computer (including the circuitboards and cables) be designed artistically and arranged beautifully, even if no one was ever to see them. One of his favorite mottos became "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
 
This passion for high-quality design and technology is what led him to continue to create world-changing products like the iPod and iPhone. While working at Pixar, Jobs recognized the potential for the combination of art and technology in computer animation which transformed the film industry. He tried to use every means he could to transmit his passions to the world. 

These ideals, however, didn't always do good. Many times he excessively insisted that things be done in a different way, causing his co-workers stress and anxiety. In fact, several leading designers on the Mac Team left, indignant at their boss for his disrespectful behavior.

I think that Isaacson's book portrays Jobs' love for technology and art as his monumental driving force. This book is a fascinating glimpse into the complex personality and life of a contemporary genius.