Shiloh by Bobbie Ann Mason Essay -- Shiloh by Bobbie Ann Mason

The setting in the short story Shiloh by Bobbie Ann Mason works well to accentuate the theme of the story. The theme portrayed by Mason is that most people change along with their environment, with the exception of the few who are unwilling to alter making it difficult for things such as union to work out successfully. These difficulties are apparent in Norma Jean and Leroys marriage. As Norma Jean advances herself, their marriage ultimately collapses due to Leroys unwillingness to adapt with her and the changing environment.Leroy Moffit is a truck driver, and over the years as his wife Norma Jean is adapting to the changing community his adaptation to things consist of pretty much the delegacy he drives his truck. During this time Norma Jean is left at home to fend for herself and learn the workings of nearly being a single woman. Norma Jean started to embolden the organ again, practice weight lifting, and take night classes. When Leroy came home after years of being saturated in his work he expected things to be like they were in the beginning of their marriage. As time goes on at home, Leroy takes notice to Norma Jeans keen, and independent understanding of what goes on close to her. He observes and is afraid to admit that she has had to be her own husband. Over the years Norma Jean developed a structured routine that does not include him. As Leroy sits around and plays with a model log cabin set Norma is constantly working to advance and adapt herself with ...