Shiloh by B Mason - Essay Example

Shilo” By B.A. Mason Introduction Bobbie Ann Mason’s narrative “Shiloh” chronicles the troubled marriage of Norma Jean and Leroy Moffitt, which ends at the Shiloh Civil War battleground. The storyline also addresses the social changes that influence individual identity, adding pressure to Moffitt’s matrimony. In this regard, the story reveals the relationships between family members, for instance, Mabel and Moffitt, and friends (Mason, 2001). It is apparent that the women are actively involved in the work to support their families.

This makes Leroy uncomfortable in his marriage because Norma Jean turns out to be more powerful and stronger than him. In the story, the relationship between men and women is supportive as evident between Mabel and Norma Jean toward Moffitt. This is because Moffitt is injured and cannot work to support his family after the truck accident (Mason, 2001). This forces her wife to secure employment at the nearby pharmacy while her mother frequently visits them to supply her crafts. This indicates the supportive relationship between men and women in the entire story.

The relationship is also a caring one as the women advise their men to look for jobs that can help their families. For instance, Norma Jean proposes jobs that Moffitt can take up instead of idling around and smoking pot. She cares about her husband’s involvement in a productive occupation that will keep her busy all day (Mason, 2001). Despite the story’s background of a rural setup, the author portrays the social changes taking place in society. This helps in understanding the relationship between the characters and their personal identities that shape the interactions.