Discuss the relationship in the story "Shiloh" by Bobbie Ann Mason. Just a few short comments.

“Shiloh” by Bobbie Ann Mason presents three characters who
are unable to communicate.  Leroy, the husband, has suffered a leg injury in his truck
driving.  He now does nothing except work with craft
kits.

The second character is the wife of Leroy, Norma
Jean.  When Leroy was gone all the time, she was happier.  Now that he is home,  he gets
on her nerves.   She has become a body builder which she started when Leroy was trying
to improve his leg. 

The third character is Norma Jean’s
mother, Mabel.  Her answer to all problems is to make a visit to the Civil War battle
field at Shiloh.  Mabel visited Shiloh during her honeymoon; and she wants her daughter
and son-in-law to go there. 

There is a fourth person in
the story who is never seen but his presence is felt. Leroy and Norma Jean had a baby
they named Randy.  Neither of them has gotten over his death at four months from SIDS
 though it has been about fifteen years.  The baby’s death contributes to the end of
their marriage. They never talk about it.  They avoid the subject; yet, Leroy wants to
dispel the discomfort that he and his wife feel about their baby.  He is unable to bring
up the subject.

There has been a reversal of roles in
Leroy’s and Norma Jean’s marriage.  Leroy now feels afraid to drive his truck, so he
sits at home and does crafts which are typically feminine.  In addition, Norma Jean
works for the family; she also has become a body builder.  Both of the participants in
the marriage are unsure about what they want.

The couple
does go to Shiloh.  Norma Jean realizes that she liked it when Leroy was gone.  Her
independence has been intruded upon by Leroy and his injury.  When they go to Shiloh,
she tells Leroy that she wants to leave him. She is confused as she talks about their
eighteen years marriage.  She tells him that now they have nothing between them, and she
wants to move out. 

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Without looking at Leroy, she says, “I want to
leave you!”

“No, you
don’t.”

….you won’t leave me alone. I feel eighteen again.
I can’t face that all over again. No, it wasn’t fine. I don’t know what I’m saying.
Forget it.”

Oddly, in the end
of the story, Norma Jean waves and calls Leroy toward her.  Norma Jean really does not
know what she wants. The theme of miscommunication takes the marriage to a level that
Leroy does not understand with Norma Jean is unclear about what she
wants.