Gender Stereotypes In Bobbie Ann Mason's Shiloh

There are multiple times in Bobbie Ann Mason's short story "Shiloh" in which gender stereotypes are altered and subverted. Leroy and Norma Jean, a married couple, are the central figures of "Shiloh." Leroy, who served in the military and personifies the usual expectations of a husband as a provider and protector, exemplifies the traditional masculine role. However, Leroy is no longer able to work as a result of a trucking accident, and he is forced to stay at home while Norma Jean works outside the house. The stereotype that men are the breadwinners and women are the homemakers is called into question by this gender role reversal. Bobbie Ann Mason purposely manipulates gender roles in "Shiloh" by portraying the male character as disoriented and domestic and highlighting the female character's desire for independence and self-discovery, thereby challenging societal norms and illustrating the

Leroy was a trucker who got into an accident and was no longer the breadwinner for the family anymore. Since trucking requires a lot of independence and strength, not being on the road he has become mentally and physically weak. “Since he has been home, he has felt unusually tender about his wife and guilty over his long absences.” (Mason 678) Since being in this vulnerable state of mind he’s often thought about the loss of their child together, and Norma Jean leaving him because he “read that for most people losing a child destroys the marriage…” (Mason 678). Readers can sense the insecurity of Leroy which is usually portrayed by a woman. We also sense this insecurity when he makes a statement about her being faithful to him. “ He is reasonably certain she has been faithful to him….” (Mason 678). The gender roles with Leroy have switched due to his injury and he now experiences staying at home all the time by himself with his thoughts and feelings instead of driving those thoughts into his