Bobbi Ann Mason's “Shiloh”

Hmmmm, a Southern man!


The feminist literary critics have aided us in analyzing and understanding how female characters are written in literature, often demonizing male characters in the process. Consequently, we have given very little consideration to “how” men are written. In Bobbie Ann Mason’s work we are introduced to the marginalized male – men who once seemed to wield power but are now only remnants of their formerly glorious selves, usually at the expense of the downhome feminist. In “Shiloh,” how are Leroy’s attempts at adjusting to his “new” life – problems with his marriage and troubles with the urbanization of his neighborhood – evidence of a “weak” male?

I’m trying not to write a leading question, but . . . what becomes problematic for feminist/female writers if in order to empower female characters, they “must” write weak male characters? What are the consequences of this literary “movement”?