There are many reasons to read the realistic short story, “Shiloh” by Bobbie Ann Mason. “Shiloh”, can attract many readers because of its realistic plot and setting. Leroy’s struggle to find himself and his persistence to make his marriage last can relate to many readers. Mason’s use of symbolism may also appeal to her readers. Symbolism adds an extra layer to the story; the story goes from being relatable to being able to convey a deeper meaning to her audience. Many people read for enjoyment, but they also appreciate being able to take something important away from what they have read. Whether they learn something new or are able to take away an important life lesson, readers enjoy meaningful stories.
Mason’s use of characterization did an excellent job of developing this story. Readers appreciate being able to get to know the main character; they want to know their thoughts, opinions, and feelings toward specific ideas. The reader also likes being able to
…show more content…
It is difficult for Leroy to find his identity after his accident. Leroy is trying to discover himself through a multitude of new activities. He builds model planes, learns to cross stitch, makes a macramé owl, and tries many other crafts. I was easily able to relate to Leroy on this aspect of the story. During my senior year, I struggled with determining how to spend the rest of my life. I was faced with the decision of what college to attend or not to attend college at all. I also had to choose a major directed towards a long term career. I was trying to find my passion and apply them to my future career. My situation may have been slightly different than Leroy’s, but we were both faced with the choice of what to do with the rest of our lives. I also liked Mason’s use of symbolism. I enjoyed how she used the log cabin at Shiloh to represent Leroy’s broken marriage. It helped me to visualize the cabin shot full of bullet holes and how this can relate to many