Character sketch for Shiloh

A detailed Summary of Character sketch for Shiloh

In Bobbie Ann Mason's story "Shiloh" she presents the character of Norma Jean

as having a strong personality but an emptiness deep within. Norma Jean is presented as

a strong character on the outside in the opening of the story. "She lifts three-pound

dumbbells to warm-up, the progresses to a twenty-pound barbell."(Mason p. 46).

However as the story progresses she exhibits the emptiness which she feels. "One day

Leroy arrives home from a drive and finds Norma Jean in tears." (Mason p. 50). Norma

Jean feels an emptiness toward her deceased child, her husband, and also her mother.

Her emptiness toward her husband may be seen in the way she interacts with him. She

feels very uncomfortable when she is around him. Norma Jean is always trying to find

something for him to do. When he arrived back home Mason states the "she seems a

little disappointed." (Mason p. 47). The emptiness she feels toward her mother is

presented in the feelings she has toward her. Her deceased son symbolizes her emptiness

have almost faded, but now that Leroy is home all the time, they sometimes wonder if

physically, but nothing can overcome the emptiness which she feels. Norma Jean tries to

Mabel tells Norma Jean about a baby who has its leg chewed of by a dog, due to its

enjoy being around him because their relationship makes her feel uncomfortable. Mason

anyone know that she felt such an emptiness and this is what destroyed her and her

woman. Sometimes no matter how much strength one has, a weakness may fall over

Approximate Word count = 725
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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