Power In Shiloh

Shiloh, by Bobbie Ann Mason, tells the story of a troubled married couple living in Kentucky. Norma Jean Moffitt works at the Rexall Drug Store, and finds many hobbies to occupy her free time including weightlifting, playing the organ, and taking English classes at a local college. Norma Jean's husband, Leroy Moffitt, stays at home due to a tractor-trailer accident in which his left leg was injured. He is suppose to engage in daily strength training for his leg, but instead begins sewing, plans to build a log cabin, and smokes marijuana. Leroy detests his mother-in-law, Mabel Beasley, who Norma Jean spends a decent amount of time with. Mabel suggests that the couple goes to visit Shiloh, Tennessee, a place where she hopes the couple can reunite. Throughout this story, it becomes clear that Norma Jean uncomfortably controls their relationship. This role change first appears after Leroy's accident. Norma Jean desires an end to her relationship with Leroy because she has acquired power.

Norma Jean's obsession with weightlifting confirms her control in the relationship. Although many women engage in weightlifting, society portrays it as a male activity in which strength and power are gained. Norma Jean tells Leroy, "Feel this arm. It's not as hard as the other one." "That's 'cause you're right-handed," says Leroy (3). While this statement demonstrates Norma's obsession with weightlifting and her desire to become stronger, it also implies that her left side, where her heart is located, is weak. She searches for something to fulfill that emptiness. Norma Jean dominant control illustrates when she overtakes Leroy's exercises and takes them seriously, unlike Leroy. I believe that Leroy does not want to engage in his workouts because he does not want to go back driving; he is comfortable where he is at, unlike Norma Jean.

Norma Jean's aspiration to educate herself shows her uncomfortablity in her marriage. Her want to further her knowledge exemplifies that she wants to achieve more in her life. She no longer satisfies herself by playing songs on the organ for her husband, which he wants her to do. While playing the organ, she states "But I have this crazy feeling that I missed something" (5). Norma Jean means she missed out on something in her life, like she has cut herself short. Ignorance clearly depicts Leroy, as he does not understand this. "Your name means 'the king,'" Norma Jean says to Leroy that evening... "Am I still king around here?" (14). Norma Jean does not give tell Leroy that he still is the 'king'; instead she gives him the description of her name, "Norma comes from the Normans, they were invaders" (15). Ironically, Norma Jean invades Leroy's position as the king throughout this story.

Leroy attempts to regain power to save their relationship. Leroy believes that by building a log cabin, all of their problems will disappear. Building