The Log Cabin in Shiloh

A detailed Summary of The Log Cabin in Shiloh

Many assumptions can be made about what the log cabin symbolizes or what its significance is in the story. However, one correlation stands out stronger than any other in my mind. The log cabin is a symbol of the state of Leroy's and Norma Jean's relationship. Leroy, throughout it all, as he struggles to convince Norma Jean that she would really like a log cabin because that is what he strives to give her, is also fighting to save their marriage; just as he desires to have her understand and want their relationship. If the word log cabin is replaced with either relationship or marriage the translation should not change any of the meaning in the story and in the majority of cases makes perfect sense.

The first time that there is mention of the log cabin, the author states, "...he is thinking about building a full scale log house from a kit. ...Leroy has grown to appreciate how things are put together," (731). Leroy is longing for a complete relationship with Norma Jean, one in which he feels needed and wanted by her, as he does not feel now. He desires to build this on the foundation that they have built over the last sixteen years. Leroy has always had a lot of time to think about their marriage, but not a lot of time t

Leroy shows that he notices everything that is lacking by his thoughts that are disclosed on page 731, "He has this feeling that they are waking up out of a dream together-they must create a new marriage, start afresh," (731). This statement supports the second phrase of the quote in previous paragraph. He realizes that their experiences over the last years have shaped their relationship into what it is now, and he is now attempting to focus on the future, to build their relationship.

At this point Norma Jean expresses her lack of fulfillment in their relationship. She attempts to tell him that she does not want from him what he desires from her. She is not interested in the things that he wants to give her and does not even share the same interests.

The cabin also represents Norma Jean's view on their relationship and her ties to it. Every time the log cabin is mentioned she becomes more adamant that that she does not desire to have one and that he will not be building her one. And slowly but surely Leroy begins to realize this. It seems that she married Leroy because she got pregnant and the fact that he was always gone made their marriage last as long as it did. During that time frame she has done things to make him happy and to make his life easier. She slowly begins to break away from that habit. She is thinking of herself and not of his wants and needs.

o put anything into it. He is finally available to work full time on their marriage since he will not be gone as often.

"Now he sees that building a log house is the dumbest idea he could have had. It was clumsy of him to think Norma Jean would want a log house," (740). This is when he realizes that their relationship is not going to be mended like new, or shaped into the mold he has been so desperately trying

Some common words found in the essay are:
Norma Jean, Norma Jean's, Lincoln Logs, , norma jean, log cabin, log house, jean log, norma jean log, norma jean 734, jean 734 leroy, relationship norma jean, marriage desires, relationship norma, leroy notices, tell norma jean, relationship leroy, tell norma, house' leroy,

Approximate Word count = 1211
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English