Breaking Gender Roles in Bobbie Mason’s ‘Shiloh’
General criticism on Bobbie Ann Mason’s “Shiloh” shows that gender roles are not followed in the mid 1970’s in America. When Mason was presented with these critics over this issue, she defended the idea of breaking gender stereotypes. An example, the couple Norma Jean and Leroy have switched roles within their marriage. Due to an accident as a truck driver, he is left to stay at home and live as though a wife would live and Norma Jean is left to live as though she was a man. When others are reading “Shiloh”, they may find this odd or unpleasing, but it was necessary due to the circumstances they were presented with. Mason rejects the traditional ideas that married couples should be followed by their …show more content…
A declaration of independence for women was abnormal during the 1970’s, but not impossible. Since women were “less” than men, no one really considered a true independent woman to run a household until the women’s rights movement began. “Research suggest that women are just as capable in leadership positions as are men. Early studies of leadership style and effectiveness suggest that men and women perform similarly in leadership roles (Chapman and Luthans 1795; Day and Stodgily 1972)” (Carbonell). Statistics and evidence like this show that women can be independent and be an efficient leader like men. Norma Jean as a married spouse wanting to be free from mans will and be independent, although having that relationship with Leroy. Norma Jean does leave Leroy, but she does not divorce him. Leroy does have the tendency of thinking the women should stay at home and cook, but not for Norma Jean. Norma Jean is studying in college and all set to go out into the world. That is why she left Leroy, but she still has some feelings for him. Although, now that Norma Jean is independent, she is going to move on in her life from the point she left