Womens Movment As Seen In Shiloh And The Astronomers Wife Essay Example
The days of women being confined to traditional gender roles are long gone. The women's liberation movement has empowered them, helping them recognize their equality with men. This mindset is becoming more common as more and more women embrace this truth. In the short stories "Shiloh" by Bobbie Ann Mason (Pg.68) and "The Astronomer's Wife", the central theme is realization and liberation. In "Shiloh", Norma Jean, Leroy Moffitt's wife, is depicted as strong and focused on self-improvement (Pg.68). She engages in physical exercise using dumbbells and barbells, reminiscent of Wonder Woman in her husband's perspective. Norma Jean also attends night school where she takes body-building courses before enrolling in an adult-education composition class at Paducah Community College (Pg.74). Her dedication to enhancing both her physical strength and intellect highlights her independence.In contra
...st to Norma Jean, Mrs. Ames from "The Astronomer's Wife" lacks the same level of independence. Despite her youth, Norma Jean feels burdened by Leroy's silent criticism that seems to constantly judge her words. The once bright light in her grey eyes has disappeared, leaving her feeling suffocated and forgotten. Her timid nature is revealed through her soft-spokenness characterized by gentle tones and a hushed voice. However, their marriage faces challenges when a truck accident leaves Leroy disabled. This incident triggers a dramatic change in his behavior, shifting him from being meek and timid to something entirely different.
Before the accident, Leroy spent fifteen years on the road as a trucker. When he finally returned home permanently, both he and his wife had to adjust to this new reality. While Leroy hoped for their marriage to settle down, he could sense his wife's unease. Since
coming back, he felt an unfamiliar tenderness towards Norma Jean but carried guilt for being absent for so long. Yet he couldn't fully comprehend his wife's true feelings towards him.
Leroy never complained about his travels or made hurtful remarks like calling his truck a "widow-maker." Nevertheless, he yearned for a happier acknowledgment of his permanent return home. Norma Jean often seemed disappointed by Leroy's presence at home and was frequently startled by it - it reminded her of their early days of marriage before he began traveling on the roadThe couple unfortunately experienced the tragic loss of their infant child in the past, and discussing their fading memories of him makes them uncomfortable. However, Leroy's constant presence now brings up feelings of awkwardness. Leroy wonders if they should talk about their child since they both feel like they are waking up from a dream together and realize that they need to start fresh in their marriage. He understands his wife's emotions and knows that both must make changes to salvage their relationship. The story uses symbols, such as the truck, to represent the problems in their marriage and its ultimate failure. The truck, which had kept Leroy away for fifteen years, is now parked in their backyard resembling a predatory bird. Norma Jean sees it as a threat now that it has returned home.
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