Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who is Davy?
Who is Davy?
Reuben's brother, 16, impulsive, mature.
Who is Reuben?
Who is Reuben?
11, doubtful, has asthma, shy.
Who is Swede?
Who is Swede?
Reuben's sister, 8, very smart, very mature, confident.
Who is Jeremiah?
Who is Jeremiah?
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What is Jeremiah's first miracle?
What is Jeremiah's first miracle?
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What is Jeremiah's second miracle?
What is Jeremiah's second miracle?
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What is Jeremiah's third miracle?
What is Jeremiah's third miracle?
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What is Jeremiah's job?
What is Jeremiah's job?
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What happened in the Dolly situation?
What happened in the Dolly situation?
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When was Reuben born and who are his parents?
When was Reuben born and who are his parents?
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What was Jeremiah doing at the time of Reuben's birth?
What was Jeremiah doing at the time of Reuben's birth?
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What did Dr. Nokes tell Jeremiah when he was trying to get Reuben to breathe?
What did Dr. Nokes tell Jeremiah when he was trying to get Reuben to breathe?
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What did Jeremiah do to the doctor?
What did Jeremiah do to the doctor?
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Does Reuben have brain damage?
Does Reuben have brain damage?
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Whose farm are they goose hunting at?
Whose farm are they goose hunting at?
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Davy tells Reuben to try and shoot his first goose. What happens?
Davy tells Reuben to try and shoot his first goose. What happens?
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What happens when Swede chases the bird?
What happens when Swede chases the bird?
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What happens while Swede is being chased?
What happens while Swede is being chased?
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When they get back to the farm with the goose, what happens?
When they get back to the farm with the goose, what happens?
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Why does Swede want Reuben to forgive her?
Why does Swede want Reuben to forgive her?
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In chapter 2, what does Swede tell Reuben when he asks what is wrong with Davy?
In chapter 2, what does Swede tell Reuben when he asks what is wrong with Davy?
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Who beat up Dolly?
Who beat up Dolly?
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In the morning in chapter 2, what does Davy say to Reuben?
In the morning in chapter 2, what does Davy say to Reuben?
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What happens at the end of chapter 2?
What happens at the end of chapter 2?
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What happens when the family returns home in chapter 3?
What happens when the family returns home in chapter 3?
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What does Reuben compare breathing with asthma to?
What does Reuben compare breathing with asthma to?
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What does Jeremiah say to Reuben at home in chapter 3?
What does Jeremiah say to Reuben at home in chapter 3?
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What happens in church?
What happens in church?
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What do they find when they get home from church?
What do they find when they get home from church?
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How does Reuben describe the touch from Rev. Johnny?
How does Reuben describe the touch from Rev. Johnny?
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Study Notes
Main Characters
- Davy: Reuben's older brother, 16 years old; characterized by impulsiveness and maturity.
- Reuben: The protagonist, 11 years old; shy, doubtful, suffers from asthma.
- Swede: Reuben's 8-year-old sister; exceptionally intelligent, mature, and confident.
- Jeremiah: Reuben's father; deeply religious and associated with miraculous events.
Miracles of Jeremiah
- First Miracle: Reuben's survival after a critical incident at birth.
- Second Miracle: Reuben has no brain damage despite being dead for over 12 minutes.
- Third Miracle: Jeremiah describes a mystical experience of "walking on air."
Reuben's Birth
- Reuben was born in 1951 to Jeremiah and Helen Land.
- Jeremiah felt God communicated with him while pacing outside the hospital during Reuben's birth, foreseeing trouble.
Conflict and Tension
- Dolly's Situation: Davy intervenes when his girlfriend Dolly is threatened by Tommy Basca and Israel Finch; Jeremiah saves Dolly from being assaulted.
- Davy's Struggles: Davy expresses anger and frustration toward schoolmates who hurt Dolly, feeling unsupported by his father.
Goose Hunting Incident
- The family goes goose hunting on August Schultz's farm; Reuben initially misses his shots, hits a goose on the third try, causing chaos.
- Swede's comedic chase of the injured goose results in Davy killing it while Jeremiah laughs.
Family Dynamics
- After a goose hunting outing, Davy offers to help Reuben clean the bird, but he declines. Swede insists on detailing the cleaning steps, reflecting their sibling dynamic.
- Throughout chapter 2, Davy warns Reuben of threats to their family, indicating rising tensions in their lives.
Church and Spiritual Moments
- During church, Reuben sneaks out to be with his crush, Bethany Orchard, while Reverend Johnny speaks in tongues. This results in Jeremiah passing out.
- The church service highlights Jeremiah's spiritual fervor and the family's connection to their faith.
Aftermath of Conflict
- Returning home, the family confronts vandalism (their door is tarred) and Reuben's worsening asthma.
- Reuben describes his asthma as feeling "sticky and spongy," illustrating his struggles with the condition.
Summary of Key Events
- The family's situation escalates with threats and violence surrounding Davy and his girlfriend.
- Reuben's breathing difficulties and the family's prayerful dynamics underscore the themes of faith, struggle, and resilience present in their lives.
- The story builds on the interaction between family members, the impact of violence on their lives, and the strong religious foundation they rely on in challenging times.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of the early chapters of 'Peace Like a River'. These flashcards cover key characters and their traits, focusing on the main figures such as Reuben, Davy, Swede, and Jeremiah. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding of the book's foundation.