Leroy Sparknotes

Before Leroy’s accident, he believed that his marriage was one in good standing. Leroy mentions that his wife, Norma Jean “has never complained about is traveling, or made any hurtful remarks” towards Leroy. But how could you believe something is all good when you weren't around most of time to experience it? Even though Leroy believes that their relationship is fine, Leroy does admit that he “feels guilty about his long absences from home”. Although Leroy believes his relationship with his wife is content, the reader can start to see differences between the two characters, which ultimately affects their marriage.
These differences between Leroy and Norma Jean cover a wide range of areas, but it seems that they are not able to overcome these
Norma Jean makes a list for Leroy with some ideas of what Leroy could start doing. Norma Jean say, “You could get a job as a guard at Union Carbide, where they’d let you sit on a stool. You could get on at the lumberyard. You could do a little carpenter work, if you want to build so bad. You could--” Even though Norma Jean mentions Union Carbide, a job Leroy would be able to handle he shows no interest - she enjoys working and wants him to start working again. Once again, showing that Norma Jean and Leroy have different values and
While on the other hand Leroy is not attempting to go back to school, even though this could give him a chance to get a job that he could physically handle. In the story Leroy starts to pick up on all the changes regarding Norma Jean when she starts to attend school. Leroy says “Recently Norma Jean has been cooking unusual foods -- tacos, lasagna, Bombay chicken.” Leroy also thinks to himself that “Norma Jean is miles away”. So after that line the reader really gets some insight into Leroy’s mind, and that he is starting to realize, his marriage is not as perfect as what he thought it