the leader of the house. Leroy knows that something has to be done to save hismarriage. Mabel, Leroy’s mother-in-law, suggests they take a trip to Shiloh, a Civil Warbattleground. This is ready-made symbolism. A battling couple takes a trip to a famousbattleground. Looking for a place to picnic, they sit down next to a cemetery for UnionSoldiers, which symbolizes the death of their life together as husband and wife. She tellsLeroy that she is leaving him and when she walks toward the bluff overlooking theTennessee River, Leroy tries to follow. His good leg, however is asleep, and his bad legstill hurts him. This symbolizes that he will never catch her. She has her own life and he isstuck in the same place.In conclusion, I have personally experienced the loss of a friend after we bothembarked on different paths. Although we were the best of friends in high school, whenthe time came on that long weekend to hang out, we didn’t even pick up the phone to seewhat the other was doing. Although its natural to move in different directions, it still hurtsto no longer have that friend in your life any longer, just like it hurts Leroy not to haveNorma Jean...
