Shiloh is a novel by Bobbie Ann Mason that tells the story of a young couple, Marty and Norma Jean, who live in a trailer in rural Kentucky. The setting of Shiloh plays a significant role in the novel, as it helps to establish the characters' sense of place and identity.
The novel is set in the late 1960s and early 1970s, a time of great social and cultural change in the United States. Marty and Norma Jean live in a trailer park in the town of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, a small, rural community that is located in the western part of the state. The trailer park is located on the outskirts of town, near a highway that runs through the area.
The setting of the trailer park is important because it reflects the characters' sense of isolation and disconnection from the larger world. The trailers are small and cramped, and there is a sense of community among the residents, who often come together to socialize and support one another. However, the trailer park is also a place of poverty and hardship, as many of the residents struggle to make ends meet.
The natural surroundings of the trailer park are also significant to the novel. The area is characterized by rolling hills, forests, and fields, and the characters often spend time outdoors, enjoying the beauty of the landscape. This connection to nature helps to ground the characters and give them a sense of belonging.
In addition to the physical setting of the trailer park, the novel also explores the social and cultural context of rural Kentucky in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The characters are deeply rooted in the culture of the region, with its traditions, values, and customs. The novel also touches on issues of class and gender, as Marty and Norma Jean navigate the expectations and constraints of their society.
Overall, the setting of Shiloh plays a crucial role in shaping the characters and their experiences. The trailer park and its surrounding landscape provide a sense of place and community, while the social and cultural context of the region helps to define the characters' identities and relationships.