Even in being an advocate for feminism and gender equality, when I first read “Shiloh” I saw no trace of feminist writing. However, in reading through the list of questions available for the story, I began to see how much the story discussed feminism. The progressive mindset of women in the United States during the 1970’s created one of the biggest leaps in creating a gender equal society. While Norma Jean seems to go along with this trend, her mother stays stuck in the past, which is very relatable, even now. Through reading “Shiloh” again, certain word choices indicated this feminist view and in paragraph 86 Norma Jean is shown to be bettering herself. Norma Jean’s education represents her transition from being the submissive housewife,…show more content… Bentley links together the symbolism of Leroy’s career, Norma Jean’s education, and the changes that Leroy sees in Norma Jean. He believes that Leroy’s hauler represents Leroy’s masculinity and the accident that occurred injured Leroy’s mentality as much as it injured him physically. With his masculinity being challenged, another point Bently brings up is the education of Norma Jean, as Norma Jean is getting more physically and mentally fit Leroy is deteriorating. Another symbol that is discussed is the goldfinches. When first reading this section of the story, it seemed to be a sort of filler, and I saw no purpose of it other than to make the story flow a bit better. After reading Bentley’s opinion on it, once again I was proven that every word in “Shiloh” has a purpose. Bentley argues that Leroy questions if the goldfinches close their eyes as they fall because he himself is closing his eyes to his failing life and marriage. Bentley’s article discusses the opinion of instead of Norma Jean becoming more independent, Leroy is simply becoming more dependent on those around him as his life is falling…show more content… Bolt explains that only once Leroy began to adjust Norma Jean started to better herself instead of helping to better Leroy. With this he starts to explain some of the other symbols in the story, like the king sized beer and Leroy’s name. Bolt believes that when Norma Jean tells Leroy what his name means, he begins to question his position in the household and his masculinity along with that. Later when Leroy splits the king size beer and gives half to Norma Jean, Bolt believes that it symbolizes Leroy surrendering some of his power over the household to Norma Jean. Though the part of Bolt’s essay that I found most interesting was his conclusion, in this Bolt blames the failure of the marriage, on not Norma Jean and her individuality nor on Leroy and his accident, instead Bolt finds the fault in Leroy;s attitude towards his disability. I had not yet heard the fault go toward Leroy’s attitude as he is seen as a flat character who did very little to change throughout the
