1. In this book Davy Land, Reuben's older brother, commits a crime. After Reuben witnesses the crime, does he view Davy differently than he did before? Does he think that Davy deserves to go to jail or does he think that he should be let free?
Sarah-I believe that after Reuben witnesses the crime Davy commits, he does in fact view his brother differently. Reuben realizes that Davy is not just a teenager anymore, but that him committing two murders has forced him to become a man. Now, Davy will be charged as an adult on trial...that is, if the investigators can ever find him! I also think that Reuben is able to see a new side of Davy. Not that this a positive side or that he is a rolemodel, but the fact is is that Davy did what he had to do to protect his family.
Davy states that he does not think his brother should be put in jail and he does all he can to protect his brother's whereabouts. For example, when Reuben is sent out with detectives to show Davy's hideout, he takes the detectives the wrong way because they were getting too close. A man falls of a cliff while climbing a narrow ledge on his horse and the men become furious with rage. They soon suspect that Reuben had, indeed, led them the opposite way.
At the end of the story, however, as pieces to the puzzel are put together in Reuben's mind, he finally gives away the location on the cabin because he realized that Mr. Waltzer, the man Davy was staying with, was meeting with Andreeson to kill him.
2. Swede Land, Reuben's little sister, writes a western poem, throughout the story, about a hero named Sunny Sundown. Do you think that Sunny's adventures reflect Swede's feelings about Davy's current situation?
3. Many newspaper ads were published during the time that Davy was in jail. Some of the articles were slanderous against Davy while others portrayed him as a hero. Which headline do you think Davy would fit under: Teenage Son Defends His Home Against Two Armed Break-ins or Teenage Boy Shoots and Kills Two of His Schoolmates in Cold Blood? Explain.
Denaé- Davy Land would fit under the newspaper headline: Teenage Son Defends His Home Against Two Armed Break-ins because all his did was protect his family. Tommy Basca and Israel Finch didn't have the "cleanest" record. They tried to rape a girl, Polly, in the girls' locker room, they kidnapped Swede Land, Davy's little sister, threatened his family, and tarred the Land's door. Davy was already ticked off at the two of them for endangering his family and then, to put the frosting atop the cake, they break into his house with a bat in their hands. That was the last string. How far does one have to go before someone does something about it? Davy just happened to be that someone. Davy shouldn't be portrayed as a cold-blooded killer but as a man who said that enough was enough and took action. He protected his home from men who were kidnappers, vandalizers, and attempted rapists. Instead of living in fear of Davy, everyone should want a boy like him living in their homes.
4. The novel's main character is Reuben and his adventures with his family as they journey in search of a family memeber. How does Reuben change throughout the novel.
5. Reuben grew up with a father but lacking a mother. Do you consider it ironic that just as he gains a mother, he loses a father? Defend your answer.
6. Does the title of the book, Peace Like a River, live up to its name? Why or why not?
7. The first half of the book is filled with miracles that Jeremiah Land, Reuben's father, performed. As the story progresses, the miracles occur less often. Why do you think this happens?
Gil- The miracles that occur throughout Peace Like a River mirror the overall condition of the Land family in regards to each other. In the beginning of the novel, when the family has no real worries and they are basically happy, we witness numerous miracles. But as hope begins to sink when the family is looking for Davy, and as it becomes more and more obvious to us that the family may not live the life they once had again, the miracles we witness become more scarce and harder to identify. As the family loses sight of hope, we lose sight of miracles. The final miracle that Jeremiah Land performs (sacrificing his own life for his son's), is as equally poweful as the fact that Davy has escaped the grasp of the law, and that Reuben and Swede have found a new mother. We can see yet another parallel between the miracles and the family's situation when Reuben can hear his father "arguing" with someone behind a closed door. While this apparent speaking to a higher form is indeed a miracle, it is very vague, and little sense can be made of it. It occurs at the same time the family feels lost in life, and can make little sense of the terrible events that have befallen them. By making his miracles coincide with the Land family's stand in life, Leif Enger allows us to feel a powerful connection with the characters: As we are waiting for the next miracle to occur, so are they.
8. When Jeremiah Land, Reuben's father, is fired from his job he heals the principal that fired him. Reuben claims that his father had no right "in healing that man"(80). Why do you think that Jeremiah healed the principal? Do you think that it was the right thing to do?
9. Reuben states that his father had the ability to perform miracles. Do you think that these were actual miracles or just coincidences? Justify your answer with text from the novel.
10. Does Davy's escape make the Land family stronger or weaker? Explain.
Jay - Davy's escape makes the family ties stronger. I believe this because after Davy leaves it shows just how much his family really cares for him and supports him. The other members of the family never waivered in their hope for davy'd survival no matter what anybody said about him. The Land family will always be there for each other whenever another has a problem and will always support each other in any situation. After the escape Reuben talks about how no matter what he thinks that any decision Davy had made about the crime was the right one to make until he had to be convinced by his father. The Land family bond proved strong when the family leaves their home for "vacation". Once the father has lost his job and the family is being scrutinized throughout the town, they have nothing to live for besides their family bond. Through these examples and many others anyone can see that the Land family is very close and respect each other "through thick and through thin."
