Through the use of characterization the author creates, reveals and develops each of her characters to display the good and bad sides of holding on to the past. Leroy’s character is very traditional, which ultimately leads to him being left behind. The author writes, “He has begun to realize … he never took time to examine anything” (873). Things like the town he lived in, his marriage and his wife have all become foreign to him because of his attachment to the past. In an attempt to rekindle their marriage, Leroy follows through on his promise to Norma Jean that one day he would build her a new home. Unfortunately, his choice of a log cabin for

The author uses character development throughout the story to reinforce and express the underlying theme of dwelling on the past. In the beginning of the story, Norma Jean starts to redefine her life when the support she has come to expect from Leroy is lost because of an accident that injured his leg. Leroy becomes a lazy individual, staying at home all day making craft kits, string art and needlepoint to entertain himself. In the meantime Norma Jean has begun to move on becoming stronger and more responsible. She masters the organ, graduates from a bodybuilding course and is going to night school. She is emerging as a confident woman, while Leroy seems to be left behind.

Mason developed the characters and setting to express the theme of the story: Dwelling on the past and living through tradition will cause a person to be left behind in the wake of change. It seems that the author specifically planned the character development to help express the theme. Leroy is a static character, while Norma Jean is a dynamic character. The settings match the characters. The battlefield of Shiloh identifies with Leroy, an unchanging area marked by its history. The town matches Norma Jean with its changing landscape and identity. Both the characters and the setting exemplify the theme of dwelling on the past and being forgotten or left behind. As one can plainly see, both Leroy and the

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