Sergeant Mom

Sergeant Mom Mabel Beasley, the Mother of Norma Jean, in Bobbie Ann Mason’s “Shiloh”, has all the characteristics of a Marine Drill Sergeant. A Drill Sergeant will inspect living areas for cleanliness, demand everything be in its proper place, maintain strict discipline, and change certain personality or character traits. The Drill Sergeant will force any person, without a strong spirit, to perform acts of defiance against themselves, society, or the object of their tribulations. …

…turns toward Leroy and waves her arms. Is she beckoning to him? She seems to be doing an exercise for her chest muscles” (673). What act has Mabel forced Norma Jean to perform? Mabel no longer has any control over her daughter. The power to wield her strict discipline or control Norma Jean’s personality would never happen again. The exercise! It was a well-executed military salute, a non-verbal expression saying good bye to Sergeant Mom.