In the short story "Shiloh" written by Bobbie Ann Mason, she expresses a theme stating that taking life for granted causes individuals to lose sight of what is important and how people become blinded by everyone and everything around them. Emotions have a huge impact on how a person handles a situation and people don't necessarily compartmentalize in order to easily make the right decision. Different characters are depicted throughout the story, ranging from dynamic to rounded characters. Norma Jean and Leroy Moffitt are the antagonist and protagonist, both at war with each other. The irony of the situation occurs when Leroy arrives home and continues to stay at home after being involved in a truck accident at work. Norma Jean isn't used to her husband being home right now and would prefer if he were back on the road. He is excited to settle down with his wife but she wants him to leave. She was comfortable staying home alone and now that he is there all the time, her freedom is disrupted. The author's tone is complicated, harsh, selfish and blunt simply because their marriage lacks communication, which makes any relationship complicated. Another direct tone is described because at the end Norma Jean bluntly tells Leroy that she is leaving him. This is very crucial to her ears and harsh coming from her after sixteen years of marriage. The story takes place in the couple's home, on the super plaza, and on the battlefield of Shiloh. In the story, the reader is able to foreshadow the outcome of Norma Jean's behavior. The symbolism induces the battlefield, the Star Trek pillow, Wonder Woman, craft kits and the color of the steering wheel. The narrator tells the story in third person limited om...... middle of paper ...... chapter of Norma Jean and Leroy's life now that they are going to be separated. There is nothing left in their marriage that can keep them together because, according to Norma Jean, it was over a long time ago. People will always experience ups and downs, but it is the struggles, difficulties and obstacles they face that determine their strength. . Walking away from a situation or problem doesn't make things better. It also doesn't protect the individual, it just disrupts things. Communicating with someone will allow feelings to be exposed in a safe way and cleansing the soul will also be an excellent therapeutic technique to rejuvenate the mind. Works Cited Kenedy, XJ and Dana Goia. “Shilah.” Literature: an introduction to fiction, poetry, drama, and writing. Ed. Dana Goina and XJ Kenedy. Eleventh edition. New York: Longman, 2010. p. 569-578. Print.