Use Of Shopping Mall Realism In Mason's Shiloh

handing readers details. The things she tells through this device require a certain degree of close reading to understand. However, when this close reading occurs, the subtle details of the story come alive. Mason’s use of “shopping mall realism” is an excellent avenue for readers to see the scene vividly and also to understand the inner workings of the characters and the plot. One of the main uses of “shopping mall realism” is to show the time period of the setting. In “Shiloh” we see this frequently, as Mason makes frequent references to different products and culture pieces of the 70’s. The first one appears as early as the first paragraph. The story opens up with a man, Leroy Moffitt, watching his wife exercise. “Standing with her legs …show more content…
In an attempt to stop the awkwardness and bring back the relationship they used to have, Leroy buys Norma Jean an electric organ for Christmas because she used to play piano. Mason chose the specific songs in the same way that she chose to have Leroy and Norma Jean attend those specific films. Immediately after Norma Jean gets acquainted with the organ she pulls out her copy of “The Sixties Songbook” and begins to play through it, claiming, “I didn't like these old songs back then,” she said. “But I have this crazy feeling I missed something.” (Mason, 5) Following the previous analysis of subtle hints, it’s safe to assume that this statement means more than it seems. It serves as a foreshadow to the true meaning behind the songs that she plays. The first two songs Norma Jean plays are “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli and “I’ll Be Back” by the Beatles. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” pulls back to the first paragraph of the story, with Leroy watching his wife in admiration while she works out. Mason chose this song to reference the relationship in Leroy’s eyes, where Norma Jean is still the person he remembers. “I’ll Be Back” covers the opposite end of the relationship’s timeline. It jumps forward to after Norma Jean tells Leroy that she wants to separate. The first verse exemplifies what Mason is trying to get out of using this …show more content…
The world that Leroy and Norma Jean live in is full of small details and references that quietly tell the story in a deeper sense than the words on the page. These devices subtly reveals the characters’ inner feelings, attributes, and also a strong sense of plot depth and clarity. Though these references are subtle, close reading and analysis show the true meaning behind them and simultaneously the true meaning of the story. Mason uses “shopping mall realism” to a fantastic degree, presenting a vivid scene while also offering understanding to the inner workings of the characters and the