Week 4 Question 5

5. “Some critics think of Norma Jean’s changes as connected to feminism’s influence. Do you agree?” (“Shiloh” 1459)

Feminism asserts that much of what we read has at its base a patriarchal viewpoint, one which privileges men and which denigrates women. In the story Shiloh, we see the men and women of the story struggling to make sense of themselves.  I do believe there is some feminism involve in the story because of the attitude of Jean’s toward her husband and vice versa. She is just a woman who wants space in her relationship and freedom to do whatever she wants. The story is not only about feminism. I think that one of the main things Norman Jean's and Leroy's relationship suggests about what is needed to keep a happy marriage is communication, but there are other issues between Leroy and Norma Jean which prevent them from having a good marriage, especially the question of individual identity.  Communication, however, is still inarguably a basic element to ensure changes in Jean’s feminism’s influence.