There are many clues to lead to the fact she took her own life. I found it interesting Bobbie Ann Mason gave the character the name Norma Jean. Norma Jean was also the real name of Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn Monroe's depression and inability to find lasting happiness resulted in psychological disorders with the end result of her taking her own life.

The character Norma Jean fits all the psychological characteristics of behavior change in mothers who are coping with life after losing their child to sudden infant death syndrome. The most common symptoms are anxiety and depression (Boyle 933 par.1). She is always trying to stay busy. First she decided to build her own body up. She goes to the gym or d

In support of these contentions, one can point to the ending of the story where, having told her husband Leroy that she wants to leave him, Norma Jean walks quickly through the cemetery at Shiloh. Shiloh was a battle fought in the Civil War. There were thirty five hundred soldiers died here in the past. The cemetery itself represents death. Why would Bobbie Ann Mason bring Norma Jean, a depressed woman, to such a place if she were not about to take her own life? She told her husband she was going to leave him, not divorce him. "Everything was fine till Mama caught me smoking." "She won't leave me alone- you won't leave me alone. I feel eighteen again. I can't face that all over again." "No, it wasn't fine" (Charters 973 par 20 and 22). She is trying to tell him she has not been fine since the death of their baby. Norma Jean has reached the bluff, and she is looking out over the Tennessee River. Now she turns toward Leroy and waves her arms. Is she beckoning to him? She seems to be doing an exercise for her chest muscles. This is where she is waving her arms up in disgust. She has had enough and can not take anymore. Here is a woman who has been depressed since the death of her child. Living in a negative environment of a lifeless marriage and a critical mother. Here is where she plunges backwards into the Tennessee River to end all of her misery.

oes exercises around the house whenever she is home. Second she decided to take night classes at her local community college. She comes home and writes essays of stories she has read. She never seems to be in a relaxed state of being. These are signs of anxiety. The definition of anxiety is uneasiness. She can't decide what she wants to do with herself. There are many reasons for her depression. She is trying to cope with the death of her child, her empty marriage to Leroy and her less than supportive mother.

In conclusion, I believe Bobbie Ann Mason'

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Approximate Word count = 1308
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)