bobbie ann mason
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Kayla Williams
L. Critchley
English 1102
November 10, 2003
Essay 2
Shiloh: Gender Roles Contrasted
Bobbie Ann Mason uses the short story "Shiloh" to demonstrate identity being contrasted in society. Norma Jean and Leroy show the contrast between the gender roles in the story when the roles in their relationship are reversed, each person becomes a different individual. Throughout the story, Leroy finds himself playing the woman's role. Leroy sits home "mak[ing] things from craft kits," and "tri[es] string art"(Mason 4). The typical homemaker also puts together craft kits, watches talk shows, and does needlepoint pillowcases making Leroy seem somewhat a homemaker. Leroy does everything a typical woman would do while Norma Jean "work[s] on her pectorals. She lifts three-pound dumbbells to warm up, then progresses to a twenty pound dumbbell" (Mason 3). They were eighteen when they first met and because she is pregnant, Norma Jean and Leroy marry only a few short months after starting to date. Leroy is hurt by a trucking accident and must stay at home, therefore Norma Jean has to work full time at a drug store...