Shiloh Season

Like all the Shiloh books, this novel is set in a small town in West Virginia. The simplicity of the rural setting allows the author to emphasize the connection between the characters and their environment. Marty and his family live in the countryside, miles from the main town, so they have a different lifestyle that is based on agriculture and living off the land. His family and all their neighbors own many acres of land, so Marty must often walk through the woods to get from one place to another. As the story unfolds, chores such as chopping wood, gardening, and hunting deer are shown to be commonplace, as the rural families must rely upon their own practical skills to make a living and run their households. Hunting is mentioned multiple times as a means of survival, since the characters eat venison and use pelts for warmth. Judd in particular mentions hunting multiple times, and Dad hunts deer, ducks, turkeys, and other animals to help feed his family as well.

The rural location also results in close-knit community dynamics. Because there are so few people in the area, all the neighbors know each other and support one another through tough times. The adults and children share stories and gossip and reach out to those in need. For instance, even though Judd isn’t well-liked, Shiloh, Marty, and Dad save him after his car accident, and the entire community helps Judd with chores while he recovers, even though he is well-known for causing trouble in the community. They pitch in to mow his lawn, take care of his dogs, and leave him food even though he remains grumpy and ungrateful for the help. All these gestures of goodwill show that Marty’s rural community is united, supportive, and empathetic, even to the most problematic inhabitants.

Ultimately, the rural setting allows the author to illustrate a range of cultural attitudes toward the treatment of pets and the ethical issues involved in animal welfare, and Phyllis Reynolds Naylor makes it a point to shed light on the importance of showing compassion to animals and providing them with responsible care. Many of the characters have animals, and although some are pets, most of them are working animals who are bred and raised to fulfill a specific purpose. Judd’s dogs are a prime example of this pragmatic approach to keeping animals, for his dogs are used for hunting, not as pets. However, he crosses a serious ethical boundary when he abuses them. Because of Judd’s abusive behavior toward his dogs, Marty, his family, and the community at large believe that Judd should not have animals at all. The author’s focus on the issue of animal welfare is illustrated when Marty saves Shiloh from Judd’s mistreatment and becomes a kind and compassionate caretaker for the dog. The theme is further explored when others in town care for Judd’s dogs after Judd’s car crash.