Peace Like a River Discussion Questions Mrs. Stonitsch

Peace Like a River Discussion Questions—Mrs. Stonitsch

1. On page 36, after Swede is taken by Finch and Basca as a warning that any of the Lands can be assaulted at anytime, Reuben recites a poetic warning.

Be careful whom you choose to hate.

The small and the vulnerable own a protection great enough, if you could but see it, to melt you into jelly.

Beware those who reside beneath the shadow the of the Wings.

How does this quote tie to Reuben's beliefs and to the Lands in general. How is this a warning to Israel and Tommy? Is this foreshadowing based on what happened to the boys? Think about this last question?

2. One major argument is whether Davy is guilty of murder or killing in self-defense. Identify all the main components of the events leading up to their deaths and then take a stand and justify your claim.

3. Justify whether Tommy Basca's death was necessary or not?

4. "Is it hubris to believe we all live epics?" Based on your knowledge of hubris and epics, what do you think?

5. After viewing the power point slide on the symbolic nature of names. Authors oftentimes carefully pick names of people, animals, towns, etc. The purpose can simple or intricate and symbolic. Choose two names in the novel and explain how significant, impacting, or symbolic they are.

6. The roles of males and females in this novel seem to be very specific; however, there seems to be a sense of respect between both genders. Why do you think this black and white view on roles men and women play is displayed in this particular novel? Or, if you do not think this exists in the novel, argue and support your claim.

7. If you were Jeremiah and there was a moral or lesson to be learned in this novel, what would he say it was and why? What if you were Swede? What if you were Reuben? What if you were Jape? Pick at least two characters and answer the question.

8. Was it circumstance or something bigger that kept Reuben and Swede from sneaking out and rescuing Davy?

9. "He should have been after the bearded fellow he could see through thte front window eating steak and eggs," Waltzer said gleefully. "But he looked straight past me, you see. He was quite blind. In sight of wolf, he was hunting squirrel!" Think about the characteristics of squirrels and wolves and how these are significant comparisons to two criminals, Waltzer and Davy. Why would one be considered a wolf and the other a squirrel if they both are guilty of killing and being wanted?

10. Davy said to Reuben on page 249, "Say I did regret it; what good does it do? I have to go on from here." Reread the conversation between the brothers. Do you think Reuben is right to hope his brother regrets his actions or do you agree with Davy? Explain. See through each character's eyes before you make a decision.

11. Hunting is been a basic human instinct since the beginning time. Survival drives people to act; these actions can have varied consequences. How is hunting and survival prevalent thematic or symbolic concepts throughout the novel? How can hunting be perceived? How can hunting be taken out of context?

12. Reread the tale of Boy Ready on p 268. What lesson was Waltzer trying to convey? How does this tie to the novel?

13. The impact of family loyalty and the lengths at which people will go for the family are strong themes is the novel. Contrast the sense of family loyalty of Reuben's views and actions to Jeremiah's views and actions. Although both are closely tied to their family and driven by love for their family, with whose view would you side: Jeremiah's or Reuben's. Explain

14. When Reuben testified in court, should an eleven-year-old's testimony be held accountable in a trial? Should children have to testify? Would a jury in today's society have allowed his testimony to be admissible and grounds for convicting a person?

15. Why does Reuben finally tell the truth to his about Davy's whereabouts? What drove Reuben to confess?

16. Explain your interpretation of the man with the skin bag? How is this possibly significant, irony, etc.?

17. Justify your claim whether Reuben is responsible for Andreeson's death.

18. What do you think Jeremiah meant by telling Ruby to tell Davy, "Soon. Very soon"? Think about this before answering. Based on the informal epilogue the Enger gives us explaining what happens to the remaining characters, including Davy, is there more to this statement?

19. Define the word miracle. What constitutes to be a true miracle in your opinion? Do they even exist? Is a miracle a scientific discovery or an unexplained happening? Are miracles tied to religious beliefs?

20. When the Lands come home to find their front door tarred, the door is described as what once was a happy color has now changed to darkness from green to black (Enger 21). Explain this point on a deeper level. Think of what colors mean? How does this apply to the Land family, what they go through, and the storyline itself.

21. "It was indeed miraculous. How else to describe a valley where in deepest winter steam plumes as if from a battlefield, where boulders crouch warm as artillery where spreading fire wakes frozen salamanders with which to scare your sister?" (Enger 199). Roxanna brought the lands to one of Mother Nature's many unexplained beauties or miracles of nature. This "fire like hot steams in the heart of winter" (Enger 199). Explain what this place of beauty in a barren land could signify? Tie it to the storyline, the characters, the bigger picture, faith, etc.

22. Jeremiah gave up his life to save his son. A man who had just found love in one of the most remote places in the country; a man who had happily remarried only three months earlier; this same man relinquished all ties to the earthly plane. Do you think that is why he gave up his life? Is there more to it? Was Jeremiah destined to be a sacrifice for the greater good? Does his own sacrifice possibly resemble an allusion to something else? Would you have done the same?

23. On page 268, Waltzer stated, "So you can win the battle, Reuben--but the war is lost long ago" (Enger). What does he mean? Do you agree with this? Explain

24. Explain how Valdez and Sunny Sundown could represent more than one character in the story and explain who. What is the significance of this epic poem being filtered throughout the novel? A frame story is a story within a story that intertwines or comes together to fit into the bigger picture. Does this occur in the novel? If so, how do the two tie together and for what purpose?

25. The book begins and ends with the appropriately named Land family hunting geese. What are the parallels between these scenes and other scenes where humans are hunted by other humans?

26. Both Davy and Jape are murderers. Describe the ways in which the author has made one a sympathetic, forgivable character and the other exactly the opposite.

27. Why do Jeremiah’s miracles seem to stop once the Lands encounter Roxanna? Or do they? Were they miracles to begin with? If they were, then why would the introduction of Roxanna into the novel be so pivotal or significant?

28. Loyalty to the law versus loyalty to the family is a huge issue throughout the novel. Discuss this. What is more important and why?

29. Consider how the different characters see fate and their own part in their own futures. What is the author telling us about free will?

30. Are the miracles what ties the story together? Would the story be possible and convincing without the “miracles.”? Explain

31. Davy seems unchanged by Jeremiah’s sacrifice. What would be needed to get a man like Davy to reject his code of self-sufficiency?

32. Before committing the violent act that changes the course of the book, Davy asks Rube, “Do you think God looks out for us?” When Rube answers in the affirmative, Davy asks him, “Do you want Him to? What does this tell readers about these two characters and their different experiences of being raised in the same family?

33. When does Enger show that Roxanna and Jeremiah’s relation changes? Why is this significant, and why is this relationship so pivotal to the novel and the direction it takes? Or is it? Explain.

Instructions for PLR Discussion Questions

1.  Find your name on the list below and see what group number you have been assigned

2.  Mrs. Stonitsch will instruct each group on where to sit.

3.  You will then look on the list to see which questions your group will be discussing.

4.  Your group will have one “Your Choice” question meaning you may choose one question not on your group’s list to discuss.

5.  Cover each question thoroughly. Do not worry about finishing all questions on time.

6.  Make sure everyone is heard.

7.  Debates are great as long as they are respectful.

8.  Do not be talking about anything not related to your discussion questions.

9.  Do not be working on any other assignment during group discussion time.

10.  Do not be writing down of your group’s answers.

11.  When group time is called, we will begin our discussion either at that time or the next school day.

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3

1. Catherine Lusky 1. Jarod Klypchak 1. Maheera Syed

2. Claire O’Brien 2. Ashley Zhang 2. Nick Hackman

3. Jared Schulte 3. Kathryn Fleisher 3. Sara Ludwig

4. Meghan Hayes 4. Su Coimbatore 4. Lauren O’Neill

5. Phillip Cappelli 5. Catherine Truedler

Group 4 Group 5 Group 6

1. Taylor Mutti 1. Alexis Mathiellis 1. Ayushi Patel

2. Tamara Lee 2. Katie Matousek 2. Katie Wohlford

3. Jared Hegyi 3. Abby Novak 3. Mae’ Eddir

4. Maura Lynch 4. Frank Tusick 4. Nicole Heyniger

Group 1 will discuss 1-6 and 1 choice Group 4 will discuss 19-24 and 1 choice

Group 2 will discuss 7-12 and 1 choice Group 5 will discuss 25-30 and 1 choice

Group 3 will discuss 13-18 and 1 choice Group 6 will discuss 30-33, 22& 28 and 1 choice

HOMEWORK: YOU WILL SELECT 3 QUESTIONS FROM YOUR GROUP’S ASSIGNED QUESTIONS AND “YOUR CHOICE” SELECTION. ANSWER EACH ONE IN AT LEAST 1 WELL-DEVELOPED PARAGRAPH PER QUESTION. IDENTIFY EACH QUESTION YOU ARE ANSWERING FIRST, THEN COMPLETE YOUR PARAGRAPH RESPONSE BELOW IT. THESE MAY BE IN 1ST PERSON. TYPED RESPONSES ARE FASTER FOR ME TO READ. IF YOU DO CHOOSE TO TYPE IT, PLEASE USE MLA FORMAT. LOOK BELOW FOR A REFRESHER IN MLA. DUE TUESDAY, SPETEMBER 3 (PICTURE DAY)

MLA FORMAT: 1 inch margins, 4 line heading top left, header with last name and page number top right, size 12 Times New Roman, indent paragraphs, usually includes a title (not needed for this assignment), double spaced, no extra spacing between paragraphs or between 4 line heading lines (just double spaced)

Instructions for PLR Discussion Questions

1.  Find your name on the list below and see what group number you have been assigned

2.  Mrs. Stonitsch will instruct each group on where to sit.

3.  You will then look on the list to see which questions your group will be discussing.

4.  Your group will have one “Your Choice” question meaning you may choose one question not on your

group’s list to discuss.

5.  Cover each question thoroughly.

6.  Make sure everyone is heard.

7.  Debates are great as long as they are respectful.

8.  Do not be talking about anything not related to your discussion questions.

9.  Do not be working on any other assignment during group discussion time.

10.  Do not be writing down of your group’s answers.

11.  When group time is called, we will begin our discussion either at that time or the next day.

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3

1. Justin Tulloch 1. Tara Garcia 1. Michael Reed

2. Abby Noser 2. Ali Mansour 2. Kyra Starek

3. Lindsey Blomquist 3. Andre Albertins 3. Ruby Xun

4. Emily Griffith 4. Nicolette Estephan 4. Allie Holka

5. Kelly Klimaszewski 5. Ali Mansour

Group 4 Group 5 Group 6

1.  Julia Klaben 1. Todd Andersen 1. Rand Abdullatef

2.  Gabby Knauss 2. Cillian Donahue 2. Sarah Balzer

3.  Timothy Oh 3. Michael Gaszo 3. Madeleine Evans

4.  Jared Volan 4. Arianna Soika 4. Donovan Dalessandro

Group 1 will discuss 1-6 and 1 choice Group 4 will discuss 19-24 and 1 choice

Group 2 will discuss 7-12 and 1 choice Group 5 will discuss 25-30 and 1 choice

Group 3 will discuss 13-18 and 1 choice Group 6 will discuss 30-33, 22& 28 and 1 choice

HOMEWORK: YOU WILL SELECT 3 QUESTIONS FROM YOUR GROUP’S ASSIGNED QUESTIONS AND “YOUR CHOICE” SELECTION. ANSWER EACH ONE IN AT LEAST 1 WELL-DEVELOPED PARAGRAPH PER QUESTION. IDENTIFY EACH QUESTION YOU ARE ANSWERING FIRST, THEN COMPLETE YOUR PARAGRAPH RESPONSE BELOW IT. THESE MAY BE IN 1ST PERSON. TYPED RESPONSES ARE FASTER FOR ME TO READ. IF YOU DO CHOOSE TO TYPE IT, PLEASE USE MLA FORMAT. LOOK BELOW FOR A REFRESHER IN MLA. DUE TUESDAY, SPETEMBER 3 (PICTURE DAY)

MLA FORMAT: 1 inch margins, 4 line heading top left, header with last name and page number top right, size 12 Times New Roman, indent paragraphs, usually includes a title (not needed for this assignment), double spaced, no extra spacing between paragraphs or between 4 line heading lines (just double spaced)