Analysis Of Leif Enger's Peace Like A River

Viewing the world in different ways can reveal radically different things about the same situation. Similarly, the way a book is written and narrated can present a biased or unbiased representation of a situation. Currently, a militia of ranchers are occupying a wildlife refuge in Oregon and there are two vastly different views of the situation. The conservative news organizations claim that they’re heroes, standing up for what is right and bringing attention to federal issues. However, liberal news organizations display a view of domestic terrorist activities and “lunatic fringe of extremists who have taken over” (ABC). They say that they’re ranchers who are just fighting the government who subsidizes them. In the fictional novel, Peace Like a River by Leif Enger, the young main character presents an incomplete view because his memory is not complete after many years between the events and the writing of the book. This view conveys one side of the story similar to the very different new stations, however, …show more content…
This is very relevant when comparing how various characters react to the miracles. Reuben, the most dead set on the existence of the miracles, says that, “Real miracles bother people” (3). This shows that he brushes off the common and light use of the word miracle. This closely aligns with the real etymology of the word, a 12th century french word meaning “a wondrous work of god” (Harper). Reuben’s much more serious use of the word miracle shows that Enger intends to portray him as wise even though he is young. On the other hand, Enger also attempts to add doubt to Reuben’s recollection of the miracles with Reuben’s saying, “Make of that what you will” (48). Reubens personal recollection of the miracles is completely undoubting and convinced that they occurred the way he remembers