Analysis_Of_Shiloh

Analysis Of Shiloh Short Story Analysis In Bobbie Ann Masons, “Shiloh”, a woman challenged the culture of masculinity. In the story, Norma Jean, is the more dominant character of the household leaving Leroy, her husband, with no distinction. The usual role of the husband being the man of the house was reversed in this story to show the power of women, but in the end it all changes. Why did Mason choose to start the story with a dominant, strong woman that grows weary and weak throughout the story' In the story, Mason use of feminine and masculine characteristics to show dominance over the household is symbolized in many of the characters actions. The story starts with Norma Jean lifting weights to build muscle while Leroy sits and watches. Leroy also enjoys building models and knits because he has nothing else to do with his time. The use of reversing roles is to show that the female is the dominant and respected member of the household because of Leroy’s accident, which disabled him from work. At first, Norma seems as if she is a strong stable individual but as the story progresses, things start to get complicated. Mason uses story, norma, leroy, shiloh, mother, because, things, show, norma’s, jean, dominant, symbolism, start, shows, mason, life, leaving, household, female, end, dominance, another, women, woman, walking, toward, survive, strong, role, represents, morphew, marriage, mable, lived, just