Shiloh

In this section, Marty realizes the destructive power of secrets, reaches a more mature understanding of the importance of friendship, and remains steadfast in his moral convictions. As Naylor continues to build on these themes, she also emphasizes the significance of personal responsibility and takes a closer look at the issue of animal cruelty.

Keeping Shiloh a secret becomes impossible as Marty takes more people into his confidence. Ironically, Marty thinks his sister Becky will betray the secret because he believes that little kids cannot keep secrets. This perspective reveals how Marty’s feeling of responsibility towards Shiloh and his strong inner moral compass have helped his thought process grow and mature. Even though a kid himself, Marty can keep a secret for a just cause. Marty also learns that secrets betray trust. Drawing Ma into his secret causes her to lose her husband’s trust. Marty’s dad has trouble believing that Shiloh is the only secret Marty keeps from him. Even Dad faces Judd Travers’s justifiable anger for keeping Shiloh’s presence a secret from him.

Marty knows that secrets cause trouble, but he would do anything for Shiloh. He believes that he is doing what his dad instructs: “what’s right.” Dad understands Marty’s ethical dilemma, but declares that people must follow the law, rather than their hearts. Although Marty disagrees with Dad’s interpretation, Marty takes mature responsibility for his actions. In telling Doc Murphy and Judd the truth, Marty shoulders the blame for stealing Shiloh and for the injuries the dog incurs. Marty’s display of courage in telling the truth and standing up to Judd are indications that he is coming of age.

Marty’s friendship with David Howard also deepens. Previously, Marty kept Shiloh a secret from David. This decision isolates Marty from David and suggests that Marty does not have a deep level of trust for him. When he tells David about Shiloh, Marty discovers that David is a truer friend than he knew. David shows both empathy and loyalty to Marty as he helps clean the blood from Shiloh’s pen. Marty is glad he confides in David and feels less alone. David’s understanding solidifies their friendship, and Marty thinks, “…we’re friends for life” (94). Shiloh’s friendship also changes Marty’s life. Marty admits he was lonely sometimes before Shiloh came. With Shiloh in his life, however, Marty learns the joy of loving and being loved by a dog. Shiloh brings happiness to the entire family, showing the power of love and loyalty.

Dad tells Marty that animal abuse is common in their rural area. He thinks Marty is naïve for fixating on Shiloh, and not seeing the other malnourished, chained dogs in folks’ yards. He challenges Marty, “How many times you ever put your mind to whether or not it’s happy, its ribs sticking out like handles on the sides?” (86). Dad’s words echo those of Naylor’s real-life friend, Trudy Madden, who sadly informed Naylor that unwanted animals were often dumped in the West Virginia woods to fend for themselves. The animals did not always survive (Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor: The Story Behind the Book, end matter, ii-iii).

Animal cruelty is a widespread problem in the United States. More than 10 million animals die from abuse in the US every year, and 65% of those are dogs (“37 Deeply Disturbing Animal Abuse Facts & Statistics.” Petpedia, 2020). Researchers have also determined that those who abuse animals are likely to also commit violence against people (“Fighting Animal Cruelty and Neglect.” Humane Society of the United States, 2020).

By adopting Clover, Trudy and Frank Madden took a small step in stopping animal cruelty. Naylor shows that Marty, by taking a stand against Judd’s animal abuse and protecting Shiloh, also takes a step in the right direction by exposing animal abuse. As Marty says, “There’s got to be a first time” (86). It is a positive sign for the future that, in 2020, the state of West Virginia passed a law making animal abuse a felony (“West Virginia Senate Passes Bill That Would Make Animal Cruelty a Felony.” CBS News, 2020).