Shiloh, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is the tale of a boy who strives to save a dog from a life of misery at the hands of his cruel owner. Though only 11, he will attempt to stand up for what he believes despite what the law may state. With the help of his caring family, over the course of this story the main character must solve complicated ethical dilemmas. In doing so, he is attempting to achieve justice for this dog.
The story begins with the main character, Marty walking through the woods. He discovers a dog which ultimately follows him home. He and his father return the dog to its home and according to the combination of the dog's reaction to physical contact and Marty's impressions of the dog's owner Judd, he concludes that the dog may be abused. After a number of days, the dog who has been named Shiloh by Marty returns to his home after running away from a fox hunt. This time, Marty is determined to keep Shiloh away from his owner. In an attempt to keep Shiloh a secret, he creates a pen on a hilltop his father owns. Despite his crafty lying and sneaking food from the dinner table …show more content…
For instance, if Marty had listened to his father and carried out the legal obligation of returning Shiloh to Judd, he would likely live in guilt while the poor dog was abused and mistreated. Alternately, Marty made the tough ethical dilemma of sheltering the dogs rather than returning it to its rightful owner. Another example of an ethical dilemma within this story is if Marty will lie to his parents. Though he does take his parents opinions into consideration by asking them questions such as, “Well what kind of law is it, Ma, that lets a man mistreat his dog?” pg. 102, It is ultimately his decision how he will act. Marty must use his own family's values and his own sense of what is right in the world to come to a conclusion in each ethical dilemma presented to