9/4/2008 peace like a river the big questions. 9/4/2008 peace like a river 1 “ real miracles...
TRANSCRIPT
9/4/2008
Peace Like a RiverPeace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
9/4/2008
Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 11
“ Real miracles bother people, like strange sudden pains unknown in medical literature. It’s true: They rebut every rule all we good citizens take comfort in. Lazarus obeying orders and climbing up out of the grave---now there’s a miracle, and you can bet it upset a lot of folks who were standing around at the time. When a person dies, the earth is generally unwilling to cough him back up. A miracle contradicts the will of earth.”
“Swede said another thing too, and it rang in me like a bell: No miracle happens without a witness. Someone to declare, Here’s what I saw. Here’s how it went. Make of it what you will.”
9/4/2008
What miracles have What miracles have occurred in occurred in Peace Like a Peace Like a
RiverRiver??Who is the witness?Who is the witness?
Peace Like a River 1The Big Questions
9/4/2008
Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 11
“Well, here’s your chance to learn about the principle of escalation.”
9/4/2008
What events deal with the principle of What events deal with the principle of escalation?escalation?
How is Jeremiah Land different from How is Jeremiah Land different from other people?other people?
What is the significance of breathing in What is the significance of breathing in the novel?the novel?
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
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Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 22
“Who could imagine someone would come to the door, in plain sight, such a lovely October evening, with evil in his heart? Who understands such hatred as bedeviled that doomed visitor? Who would believe his boldness as he knocked?”
9/4/2008
How is the principle of escalation How is the principle of escalation illustrated by this quote?illustrated by this quote?
Are there people who are truly evil? Are there people who are truly evil? Are Israel Finch and Tommy Basca evil?Are Israel Finch and Tommy Basca evil?
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
9/4/2008
Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 22
“During this discourse Lurvy ate at least five bowls of soup. Could’ve been six; things run together under the spell of epics. I myself had only one bowl, the last spoonful of which had just entered my mouth when Lurvy took off describing his diseased appendix, all yellow and foul, like some pusworm dropped in a doctor’s pan.”
“Make of it what you will.”
9/4/2008
What is the significance of Lurvy’s eating What is the significance of Lurvy’s eating six bowls of soup?six bowls of soup?
What does Lurvy’s story about his appendix What does Lurvy’s story about his appendix illustrate about his life?illustrate about his life?
Why does Reuben say “Make of it what you Why does Reuben say “Make of it what you will” several times in the book?will” several times in the book?
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
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Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 22
“And she saw me, I suppose: me watching the end of all our lives as we had lived them heretofore.”
9/4/2008
How have the lives of the Lands How have the lives of the Lands changed?changed?
Discuss reactions of characters to the Discuss reactions of characters to the change in the Land family.change in the Land family.
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
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Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 33
“Mr. Holgren didn’t know what to make of it; he looked horrified; the new peace in his hide didn’t sink deep; he covered his face from view and slunk from the cafeteria.”
“When sorrows like sea billows roll.”
9/4/2008
Why is the chapter titled “When Why is the chapter titled “When Sorrows Like Sea Billows Blow”?Sorrows Like Sea Billows Blow”?
Why does Holgren react to his ‘miracle’ Why does Holgren react to his ‘miracle’ the way he does?the way he does?
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
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Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 33
“Late in the Night when the Fires are Out”
“With despair I heard myself answer Elvis’s inquiries, each answer seeming horribly convicting the moment it was uttered. Oh I was a meek enough fellow now—but it didn’t matter. Elvis drew these facts from me and unfolded them to view and laid them before the court like a series of bloody hankies”
9/4/2008
What is the significance of the chapter’s What is the significance of the chapter’s title?title?
Why does Reuben feel bad after the trial?Why does Reuben feel bad after the trial?
What kinds of events foreshadow Davy’s What kinds of events foreshadow Davy’s final move in the last chapter of your final move in the last chapter of your
reading?reading?
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
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Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 44
“ He’s just a boy on a horse, after all. Just a skinny length of wire and persistence, who still doesn’t know he can’t really escape. Such ignorance! For his face is known to every citizen. It’s pasted to the dashboard of every state cop and county hack. I mentioned Chet Huntley and David Brinkley? If you saw the news last night, you know they know him too.”
9/4/2008
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
What is the tone of the reporter’s story What is the tone of the reporter’s story on Davy’s escape?on Davy’s escape?
What reactions do characters in What reactions do characters in Peace Peace Like a River Like a River have over Davy’s escape? have over Davy’s escape?
9/4/2008
Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 44
“ If Marmee had begged Jo to go cut off her hair and sell it, I wonder how heroic a thing it would have been.”
“ And Dad said, Because I was praying this morning; and I prayed Lord, send Davy home to us; or if not, Lord, do this: Send us to Davy.”
9/4/2008
Why does Enger include the chapter in Why does Enger include the chapter in which Reuben has to work?which Reuben has to work?
How does Swede show wisdom?How does Swede show wisdom?
What is God’s answer to Jeremiah’s prayer? What is God’s answer to Jeremiah’s prayer? How is it ironic?How is it ironic?
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
9/4/2008
Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 55
“I watched his face and his futile, suety hands, and for the first time a question nipped at me: Was it possible that real loss had occurred at the death of Israel Finch? That real grief had been felt?”
“ But I couldn’t answer. I feared the outcome of honest speech—that it might reach forward in time and arrange events to come. If I told Swede I wanted Davy back, even at the cost of his freedom, might that not happen? And if I said what I sensed was the noble thing—better not to see him at all than pale and dumb during visiting hours—might that not bring despair on this whole crusade of ours?”
9/4/2008
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
Upon seeing Mr. Finch, what does Reuben Upon seeing Mr. Finch, what does Reuben begin to realize?begin to realize?
How do the Lands determine how to begin How do the Lands determine how to begin their quest for Davy?their quest for Davy?
Why does the thought of finding Davy Why does the thought of finding Davy bother Reuben?bother Reuben?
9/4/2008
Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 55
“ He’s like Moses,” Swede declared of Dad, when we lay in bed that night under a hissing gas-mantle lamp. “It was like going through the red sea.”
“ No wonder she’d been against having pancakes.”
“ I have a couple of rooms.”
9/4/2008
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
How has Reuben changed since the book How has Reuben changed since the book began?began?
Did Swede do the right thing to Mr. Did Swede do the right thing to Mr. Andreeson? Why or why not?Andreeson? Why or why not?
What kind of a character is Roxanna What kind of a character is Roxanna Cawley?Cawley?
9/4/2008
Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 66
“I dreamed a devilish little man came and stole my breath. He stepped through the door with a skin bag strung limp over his shoulder and with dispassionate efficiency crouched back and slugged me in the stomach.”
Though she hadn’t seemed so to me a week before, when she turned and faced us I was confused at her beauty and could only scratch and look down at my shoetops, as the dumbfounded have done through the centuries.”
9/4/2008
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
Predictions:Predictions:How will Reuben’s asthma become How will Reuben’s asthma become
important in the story?important in the story?
How will Roxanna become important to the How will Roxanna become important to the Land family as the story progresses?Land family as the story progresses?
9/4/2008
Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 66
“Well, that’s the truth, and I don’t pretend to. But the sister went out with us. We drove in rough circles starting from their home. Listen—it’s not exactly procedure, and it doesn’t make any popular sort of sense…. At some point she began telling us where to turn. It upset her, she cried and so forth. And we made some wrong turns, I’ll not lie to you.”
9/4/2008
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
Why does Andreeson tell the story of the Why does Andreeson tell the story of the little girl who found her sister?little girl who found her sister?
Predictions: Predictions: What will Jeremiah do in regards to helping What will Jeremiah do in regards to helping
Andreeson?Andreeson?
9/4/2008
Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 77
“No. no. Make the attempt. Make up your mind and breathe.”
“I couldn’t say a thing. I was confused—wondering about the skin bag. It seemed to me Waltzer must have it and that he wanted something more besides. I wilted back from him but he leaned ever forward. I saw we were outside the cabin and that I lay against it in my coat and that Waltzer was crouched in the snow against misty stars.”
9/4/2008
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
What kind of a man is Jape Waltzer?What kind of a man is Jape Waltzer?
Why, do you believe, Davy has stayed with Why, do you believe, Davy has stayed with Waltzer?Waltzer?
9/4/2008
Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 77
“She reported that though his pulse stopped within ten minutes of the fall, the muscular powers of his limbs remained in force for eight to ten hours afterward, such was the power of his constitution.”
9/4/2008
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
What is the significance of the Butch What is the significance of the Butch Cassidy stories?Cassidy stories?
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Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 88
“That very night Dad packed up his clothes and moved out to the Airstream. I didn’t fret, for it was plain now that something was forged between them and no abrupt partings were likely, but it confused me.”
“It’s for honor”
9/4/2008
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
Why does Jeremiah move to the Airstream?Why does Jeremiah move to the Airstream?
What does Swede mean by “It’s for honor”?What does Swede mean by “It’s for honor”?
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Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 88
“His name isn’t Robinson….and he’s going to kill Mr. Andreeson.”
9/4/2008
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
Is Reuben right about Waltzer?Is Reuben right about Waltzer?
We are moving closer to a climax. How do We are moving closer to a climax. How do you know?you know?
9/4/2008
Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 99
“The horse slid forward on its side, neck up , trying to rise. You’d have thought it would slow. It flipped once, hooves everyplace, then hit a steep drop and flipped again.”
“They’d come to the cabin, which lay open and empty with snow drifted in; they’d found no sign of any person save Andreeson, whose felt fedora sat in rumpled condition on the cold stove.”
9/4/2008
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
Is Reuben responsible for Lonnie Ford’s Is Reuben responsible for Lonnie Ford’s accident?accident?
Is Reuben responsible for what happened to Is Reuben responsible for what happened to Andreeson?Andreeson?
9/4/2008
Peace Like a River Peace Like a River 99
“Soon, he replied, which makes better sense under the rules of that country than ours. Very Soon! He added, clasping my hands; then, unable to keep from laughing, he pushed off from the rock like a boy going for the first cold swim of spring; and the current got him. The stream was singing aloud, and I heard him singing with it until he dropped away over the edge.”
“Make of it what you will.”
9/4/2008
Peace Like a RiverThe Big Questions
What is the final miracle of the book?What is the final miracle of the book?
Is the resolution satisfying to you?Is the resolution satisfying to you?