Tension Between Norma Jean And Leroy example essay topic

Human Nature After reading Bobby Anne Mason's short story, "Shiloh", I discovered her overall purpose for writing it. This essay discusses the overall purpose she used to write "Shiloh", as well as what incites into human nature that she offers us through her characters. This essay will use specific examples from the story to convey Mason's point. The character Leroy, was a victim of a highway accident, and is drastically changing his life style because of it. He made many promises to his wife Norma Jean when they got married at the age of 18. He couldn't pursue these promises because of the long hours he had as a truck driver.

Since he would be home a lot more after the accident, he wants to build a cabin for Norma Jean, something that he promised her since the day they got married. Norma Jean doesn't want the house she has always dreamed about or even want Leroy's company. Even though the couple has been married several years Leroy is aware of the several differences they have. Norma Jean has a lot of knowledge about cosmetics, and Leroy thinks fondly of the other petroleum products-axel grease and diesel fluid when she talks about her cosmetics. He thinks his being home a lot more, would allow for new marriage, or fresh start. However Norma Jean doesn't share the same feeling about the homecoming.

She never complained about his traveling and long absences but also is not celebrating his permanent homecoming very happily. Sometimes when she comes home, she is startled to see her husband, and sometimes looks disappointed. Leroy's newly occurring presence has allowed Norma Jean to realize that she doesn't love her husband like she used to. As for Leroy he can now appreciate what his wife does, and even joyously sits down and listens to his wife play the accordion that he bought for her birthday a few years back. Leroy begins to notice changes in other aspects of the couple's relationship. Before the accident, when Leroy came home, they used to stay home watching television and playing cards.

She would always cook and clean up the mess from dinner. Now, she is never home, leaving a cooling place in the bed. But when she is there Leroy still sees things about his wife that he never realized before. The things tat were familiar to Leroy are gone but now is recognizing habits of his wife that he never had the chance to admire. While he sees things in his wife he also realizes that he has no idea what she wants.

He is confused because she always wanted a house but now she doesn't. Her everyday actions are also changing. Leroy notices his wife's life style changing little by little. Norma Jean is now taking night classes.

In the evening she outlines paragraphs, which cause her to go to bed a lot later than she used to. She used to be so cautious about sleep; she didn't want to drag on all day due to lack of sleep. But now she is up at all house and is smoking. Leroy is stating to contemplate whether he is even wanted at the house at all. Norma Jean doesn't want the same things that she used to; perhaps she doesn't want Leroy either. Although many aspects of the couple's marriage have been altered one thing hasn't changed.

They still cannot talk openly to each other. This is an example of Mason's purpose to portray why the marriage doesn't work. Leroy has a lot of mixed emotions and confronted his wife about what he was feeling. He asked her, "Well, what do you think?" He wanted to know what she thought about them but Norma Jean got rather touch so he changed the subject.

Instead of talking to his wife when he was a truck driver, he would talk to hitchhikers. He would tell them his whole life story, without them asking. After the story, he would ask them, "What do you think?" He now has this impulse to tell Norma Jean everything, as if he just met her. They have known each other for so long but have forgotten about each other because of their lack of communication skills. Not only is there tension between Norma Jean and Leroy.

There is some awkwardness between Mabel, Norma Jean's mother, and the couple. Leroy and Mabel have this odd relationship. Leroy gets along with his mother-in-law primarily by joking with her. When her daughter got pregnant she seemed to hold a grudge against Leroy. The baby ended up dying after 4 months. Mabel thinks the death was fate mocking her.

There is always some sense of tension in their conversations, whether it is about hobbies, such as sewing, or a vacation, such as Shiloh. There is also a sense of bitterness toward Norma Jean from her mother. Leroy, Norma jean and Mabel didn't have the best relationship, this was always known. But with Leroy around more, the bad karma was much more noticeable. Leroy's homecoming was not at all how he expected. The same thing occurs when he took a trip to Shiloh with Norma Jean.

He thought the trip would be a start to a new relationship. Shiloh was where Norma Jean's parents celebrated their honeymoon. With that in mind he thought the trip would be a good opportunity to rekindle their love. During lunch the biggest shocker of the whole trip occurred, his wife told Leroy that she was leaving him.

He thought the trip was a chance to work things out while all along she didn't want to be with him. She explained she needed her privacy and didn't enjoy that he was home. After she explains reasons for leaving him she got up. Like any love struck man would do, he follows her. He sees her arms waving, and he has the slightest hope that she is beckoning him to come. But it is only a dream; she doesn't need Leroy any more.

It is ironic that the place where Mabel began her marriage is where Norma jean ended things with Leroy. These are all examples of Mason trying to make her point. Her purpose may be that you may not know people as well as you think you do. The mother was not a big role. This is why I didn't discuss her very much.

She is just in the story to tie in loose ends.