Analysis Of Shiloh By Bobbie Ann Mason

Whenever a couple gets married certain vows and promises are made to one another at the altar to have a proper union. But, many times the promises you made to one another are broken. Shiloh, by Bobbie Ann Mason, is a prime example. In the story, we have the two main characters, Leroy and Norma Jean Moffitt. Mrs. Moffitt was impregnated out of wedlock at the early age of 18.. Due to this incident, Norma Jean married Leroy. Unwillingly she was forced into the life of a housewife and momentary mother. Stereo typically Contradictory to popular belief that men were the alphas and women were the submissive, “perfect little housewife.” But, this story was written in the 1980’s. A time in which women were making a name for themselves.

Tragically Norma Jean lost their son, Randy, while giving birth to him. For fifteen years the Moffitt’s were separated by Leroy’s time spent on the road.

“It sits in the backyard, like a gigantic bird that has flown home to roost.” (Mason 68) While Norma Jean is changing Leroy seems to be making up for lost time with his wife. Mabel, Norma Jean’s mother keep bugging the couple to go visit Shiloh. She somehow thinks that this will somehow “fix them.” Whenever the couple gets to the battleground Norma Jean states, “I feel eighteen again. I can’t face that all again.” (Mason 76) She ends up telling Leroy that she no longer wants to be with him. Mason uses the Battle Of Shiloh in the Civil War to represent the Moffitt’s marriage, and the title of this story. Like the Civil War, the Moffitt’s are constantly at war with each other. Much like the North and the South were in the Civil War. The Battle of Shiloh was the last battle that ended the Civil War. Ironically, this happened to be the case. Norma Jean was the soldier at war with her husband and her