Form and Content
Shiloh is a poignant, realistic story of a boy and a dog and the circumstances that bring them together. Yet, there is more to the story of Marty Preston, an eleven-year-old who befriends a stray, abused dog. This protagonist is faced with a moral decision when he does not want to return the abused beagle to its rightful but mean owner, Judd Travers. He wants to fulfill the hill country code of honor of not lying, not cheating, and showing respect for others’ rights. The novel is set in the mountains of West Virginia. Although the events could happen in almost any rural area, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor captures the flavor of the area through the rich West Virginia dialect of Marty, the narrator of the story. The tale covers a brief time span and is written in short, fast-paced chapters.
Marty Preston wants a pet, preferably a dog, but his poverty-stricken parents cannot afford another mouth to feed. One Sunday afternoon, Marty is thrilled when a beagle follows him home from the Old Shiloh schoolhouse. His father, aware that Judd Travers, a mean, bewhiskered, tobacco-chewing neighbor recently acquired a new hunting dog, insists that the beagle be returned. Together, Marty and his father take the dog to its owner, who, after kicking it, promises to “whup the daylights out of him” if he wanders off again. As Marty accompanies his father on his mail route, he gathers aluminum cans for recycling money in hopes of offering to buy Shiloh, the name that he has given the beagle.
Another unpleasant encounter with Judd further instills in Marty the desire to have Shiloh for himself. When the dog again finds his way to the Preston house, Marty decides to hide Shiloh on the hillside, vowing that “Judd Travers is never going to kick you again.” Marty builds a pen from some old chicken wire, sneaks food to the dog twice a day, and runs in the fields with him, all the time keeping the truth of Shiloh’s whereabouts from his parents, sisters, and Judd.
One evening, his mother discovers Marty with Shiloh. They agree not to tell his father until morning, but that evening a German Shepherd attacks Shiloh, hurting him badly. Ray Preston and Marty take Shiloh to Doc Murphy, the local practitioner, who tends to the dog’s wounded leg and ear. Before Marty can return Shiloh to Judd, as his father demands he must do, Judd discovers that the Prestons have the dog. He agrees to let Marty keep the dog until the weekend, when the wound will have healed.
Early Sunday morning, Marty decides to tell Judd Travers that he is not giving Shiloh back. Crossing the field that separates their houses, he spots Judd shooting a deer out of season. Marty uses this event as bargaining leverage—he will not report the killing to the game warden in return for custody of Shiloh. Judd does not accept this reasoning but agrees to allow Marty to work twenty hours to earn Shiloh. When the hours are almost completed, Judd claims that the paper on which the deal is written is worthless because there was no witness. While Marty continues to fulfill his end of the bargain, Judd reveals information about his difficult childhood. Learning that Judd was abused as a child, Marty begins to understand and see Judd in a different light. Upon completion of the twenty hours, Judd hands Marty a dog collar, thus relinquishing ownership of Shiloh. Readers are left to draw their own conclusions as to why Judd has had a change of heart.
Setting
As Naylor strolled through the quaint hamlet of Shiloh, nestled in the heart of West Virginia, she stumbled upon the very canine that became the soul of her tale. Rather than dream up a fictional backdrop, she chose to breathe life into the precise location where she encountered the forsaken creature. In her narrative, she wove in vivid depictions of the ancient grist mill, the meandering river road, and the schoolhouse she passed by during her walk. Her portrayal of the town of Friendly—perched near Sistersville and roughly midway between Wheeling and Parkersburg—was crafted with meticulous detail. Naylor engaged in thorough research, reaching out to various West Virginia agencies for insights into the region's economic diversity and the intricate nuances of the locale. She even delved into specifics such as the type of vehicle the local postman would drive and the extent of his delivery route through the rolling West Virginia hills, all to authentically represent Marty's father.
In the tale of Shiloh, Marty resides with his parents and two younger sisters in a modest four-room dwelling, embraced on three sides by the hills outside the town of Friendly in Tyler County, West Virginia. This pastoral landscape provides Marty the secrecy required to shelter the maltreated dog. Set against the backdrop of a sweltering July and August, the story unfolds during Marty's summer break from school, offering a contemporary and heartfelt exploration of loyalty and courage.
Literary Qualities
Immersive Narrative Style
The tale of Shiloh unfolds in the first-person present tense, with Marty guiding us through his world. Initially, the distinctive narrative might seem a bit unfamiliar, but soon enough, the reader glides past the "I say" and "Ma tells me" interjections, fully immersed in the unfolding drama.
Authentic Regional Language
Naylor skillfully uses a gentle dialect, shaving off the final "g" in words like "doin'," "lookin'," and "laughin'." Yet, it's the vivid depiction of local customs that truly brings the hill people of Friendly to life. We see Marty's sister soaking her bread in cold tea, savoring fried rabbit, and the neighbors exchanging pleasantries before diving into serious conversations. Even postal patrons leave snacks in mailboxes for Ray Preston. The colloquial expressions Naylor uses, such as "whopping" instead of "whipping" and Shiloh's "legs going lickety-split," infuse the story with a rich Southern essence.
Nuanced Character Development
Naylor's hallmark is her nuanced portrayal of characters. Through subtle clues, readers piece together a complete picture of each individual. Since Marty narrates, we perceive every character through his perspective. His tender affection for his mother, admiration for his father, disdain for Judd, and the dynamics with his sisters are vividly portrayed through his interactions and observations.
For Further Reference
Comprehensive Overviews and Insights
Chevalier, Tracy, ed. Twentieth-Century Children's Writers. Chicago: St. James Press, 1989. John D. Stahl meticulously catalogues Naylor's creative endeavors, offering an incisive examination of her storytelling prowess. He asserts that her characters brim with "depth, individuality, and complexity."
Biographical Snapshots
Commire, Anne, ed. Something about the Author. Vol. 12. Detroit: Gale Research, 1977. This piece includes a concise glimpse into the author's life story.
——. Something About the Author. Vol. 66. Detroit: Gale Research, 1991. This volume expands considerably, featuring an exhaustive and in-depth dialogue with the author.
Profiles and Bibliographies
Evory, Ann, and Linda Metzger, eds. Contemporary Authors. New Revision Series. Vol. 8. Detroit: Gale Research, 1983. A succinct chronicle of Naylor’s life, this article compiles her literary contributions.
Critiques and Appreciations
Frederick, Heather Vogel. "Shiloh." Christian Science Monitor (November 1, 1991): 11. The critic enthusiastically regards this book as "an excellent choice as a family read-aloud."
Hearne, Betsy. "Shiloh." Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (October, 1991): 45. In a glowing critique, Hearne remarks that "readers will be absorbed by the suspenseful plot, which will leave them with some memorable characterizations as well as several intriguing ethical questions."
Mandel, Ellen. "Shiloh." Booklist (December 1, 1991): 695. Mandel describes the book as "a moving and powerful look at the best and the worst of human nature," capturing the essence of its human themes.
Authorial Perspectives
Holtze, Sally Holmes, ed. Fifth Book of Junior Authors and Illustrators. New York: H.W. Wilson, 1983. This volume offers an autobiographical sketch of Naylor, alongside her writing philosophy.
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. "Newbery Acceptance Speech." Horn Book Magazine (July/August 1992): 404-411. Celebrating her 1992 Newbery Medal win for Shiloh, Naylor shared her reflections at the American Library Association's annual gathering.
Naylor, Rex. "Phyllis Reynolds Naylor." Horn Book Magazine (July/August 1992): 412-415. Rex Naylor, the author's husband, offers an intimate view of her literary world.
Straub, Deborah A., ed. Contemporary Authors. New Revision Series. Vol. 24. Detroit: Gale Research, 1988. This article presents a detailed list of Naylor’s literary works and accolades, enriched with personal insights.
