Saving Shiloh

Why does the community struggle to trust and forgive Judd for his actions? How does the town’s attitude toward Judd affect Marty’s perception of him, and how does Marty fight against this to support Judd?

What role does redemption play in Judd’s storyline? How does the information that the readers learn about Judd throughout the text shape both the readers’ and Marty’s understanding of Judd as a character?

Marty uses rhetorical questions throughout the text, wondering why he feels so invested in Judd’s redemption. How do these rhetorical questions serve to characterize Marty and to illustrate his moral development, and how do Marty’s actions throughout the text answer these questions?

Describe Marty’s relationship with his younger sister Dara Lynn. How does their conflict inform your understanding of Marty’s character? How does their relationship change throughout the text?

How does Marty develop throughout the text? How does Marty’s development demonstrate increased emotional and moral maturity, and what does Marty do to embody these values?

What role does lying and stretching the truth play in the text? How does Marty manage to lie or stretch the truth while still developing a clear sense of morality?

Consider the symbolism of Judd’s fence. What does the fence represent, and what does it represent for Marty to build the fence alongside Judd?

To what degree does Judd bear responsibility for provoking his dog to attack him? How does this scene shape Judd as a character?