Access over 20 million homework & study documents

Symbols Used In Shiloh

Content type
User Generated
Subject
English
Type
Homework
Rating
Showing Page:
1/6
Surname 1
Professor's Name
Student's Name
Course Code
Date
The Use of Symbols in "Shiloh"
Many literary works use different literary devices to bring the reader to a narrative world
that tries to explain the characters, themes, and plot. "Shiloh" by Bobbie Ann uses symbols to
create a powerful message behind the literary work. Symbols like Shiloh, the log cabin, wonder
woman, and the log cabin have been used to explain the personalities and characteristics of the
characters in the story. Ann's work uses symbols to illustrate the theme of change in gender roles
in the story.
After Leroy's accident, he becomes more conscious of himself and is scared to go back to
his old life of driving his rig (Mason, 213). Staying at home for three months has made him want
to build a cabin house for his wife because he had promised her a place of theirs but being away
for fifteen years made it difficult for him to build his wife a real house. Ann Bobbin has used the
cabin house frequently in her work; the cabin house describes various phenomena in the story. It
first highlights a change in gender roles. The gender roles of Leroy and his wife Norma Jean
have changed since he was involved in the accident. The accident made it frightening for Leroy
to drive his rig again, making him stay in his home for a long time. Norma takes up the duties of
a man by being the sole breadwinner for the family for three months because her husband is out
of work following the accident.

Sign up to view the full document!

lock_open Sign Up
Showing Page:
2/6
Norma becomes interested in achieving a masculine role in her home since the husband is
no longer like the house king. Norma enrolling in the bodybuilding class to build her pectorals
symbolizes her need to become stronger and bring stability to her home. She admires wonder
woman (Mason, 213). She prompts Leroy about it because she aspires to become the "Wonder
Woman."
The firm will character portrayed by Norma symbolizes the change of gender roles in the
story by Ann. Norma tries to become a strong will character by providing and changing the roles
in her home because her husband has become more handicapped. Leroy's rig is abandoned and
stays in the backyard. "It sits in the backyard, like a gigantic bird that has flown home to roost."
The big rig from the story symbolizes that Leroy has lost his livelihood (Mason, 213). That
changed his role as the male figure in his home. Most times, men are the ones to provide for their
families, but since Leroy will not go back to his work. His wife has to take up his duties as the
male figure in their home.
Leroy's interests have also changed and are more seen to be that of the female figure.
Leroy seems to be fond of string art which is mainly attributed to women. "Leroy has grown to
appreciate how things are put together (Mason, 213)." Women like arranging things and seeing
them neatly done. Leroy is portrayed as having an interest in women's characteristics rather than
men's. The cabin house is also a symbol of changing gender roles in Leroy's home. Women
always want to live in their own houses rather than rental houses. His three-month stay in
Kentucky has made him realize how he needs to build a home of their own using logs to make a
cabin. The idea, however, does not interest his wife as much as it amazes him.
The cabin house is also a symbol of hope to Leroy. Being away from home for fifteen
years as a truck driver has made him realize how strange his wife is, like a new lover. Building

Sign up to view the full document!

lock_open Sign Up
Showing Page:
3/6

Sign up to view the full document!

lock_open Sign Up
End of Preview - Want to read all 6 pages?
Access Now
Unformatted Attachment Preview
Surname 1 Professor's Name Student's Name Course Code Date The Use of Symbols in "Shiloh" Many literary works use different literary devices to bring the reader to a narrative world that tries to explain the characters, themes, and plot. "Shiloh" by Bobbie Ann uses symbols to create a powerful message behind the literary work. Symbols like Shiloh, the log cabin, wonder woman, and the log cabin have been used to explain the personalities and characteristics of the characters in the story. Ann's work uses symbols to illustrate the theme of change in gender roles in the story. After Leroy's accident, he becomes more conscious of himself and is scared to go back to his old life of driving his rig (Mason, 213). Staying at home for three months has made him want to build a cabin house for his wife because he had promised her a place of theirs but being away for fifteen years made it difficult for him to build his wife a real house. Ann Bobbin has used the cabin house frequently in her work; the cabin house describes various phenomena in the story. It first highlights a change in gender roles. The gender roles of Leroy and his wife Norma Jean have changed since he was involved in the accident. The accident made it frightening for Leroy to drive his rig again, making him stay in his home for a long time. Norma takes up the duties of a man by being the sole breadwinner for the family for three months because her husband is out of work following the accident. Norma becomes interested ...
Purchase document to see full attachment
User generated content is uploaded by users for the purposes of learning and should be used following Studypool's honor code & terms of service.

Anonymous
I use Studypool every time I need help studying, and it never disappoints.

Studypool
4.7
Trustpilot
4.5
Sitejabber
4.4

Similar Documents