Humbling - Mini Literary Analysis

Humbling. I would describe the novel Peace like a River as humbling. While reading the novel, I was humbled due to the fact that I was continually reminded of God’s love for me. Even though Enger was not a Christian, one can note many times throughout the text that he makes references of Christianity.

Throughout the entire novel of Peace like a River, one can only be humbled by the love that Jeremiah has for his children. Jeremiah continuously sacrifices so much so that his children could live. He gives and gives, never expecting anything in return. Does that remind you of anyone?

If you guessed God, then you get a high-five! Yes, our God is so giving! He is the creator of the heavens and the earth, the author of all eternity. Yet he gave his son so that you and I may have everlasting life. Isn’t that amazing? So humbling.

The word gift is defined as “something that is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation.” (dictionary.com) When Jeremiah Land gave up his life for Reuben that was a gift greater than most other gifts. Jeremiah saves his son’s life by giving him new lungs and freeing him from the restrictions that his asthma brought upon his life.  This kind of love seems incomprehensible. Through the death of Jeremiah, his son was renewed. Through the death of Jesus Christ, we can also be renewed.

As Jeremiah represented a Christ-figure within the novel, I was overwhelmed with the similarities between Jeremiah and Jesus. Enger reveals to the reader that unconditional love is in fact possible.  A famous quote that I once read is:

“How deep the Father's love for us,

How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.”

           Inspired by John 3:16, which says “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” the author of this quote was indeed humbled. This overwhelming love of God should break us of our prideful ways. We should be forever changed. But are we? Are we truly broken by God’s unconditional love? Reuben was forever changed because of his fathers love. The question is: ARE YOU?

gift. “Define Gift at Dictionary.com.” Dictionary.com | Free Online Dictionary for English Definitions. Web. 27 Apr. 2011. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gift>.

Greif

           The novel “Peace Like a River” by Leif Enger is a story of a young boy coming of age and the events and decisions he makes along the way that form his character. A part that stood out to me in the reading this week was when Swede and Rueben saw Mr. Finch by the Post Office. In this scene Enger uses many descriptive words and rhetorical questions to bring about emotion for the characters and the reader.

            The word “grief” is defined as a “keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss”. (Dictionary, 2011) Reuben describes Mr. Finch, Israel Finch’s father, and says, “He looked dead, is what I am telling you”  He goes on to describe him as “skinny” and frail. Mr. Finch was suffering from grief of a lost loved one, his son.

This is a shocking moment for Rueben and Swede in the book, which is used to bring the reader back to reality. Enger uses this moment to note that someone loved Israel, no matter what he had done.  The fact was that his father’s life was forever changed because of what Davy did.  Mr. Finch was experiencing great grief due to his sons death and months later Rueben and Swede noticed the difference of Mr. Finch.  The part that nipped at my heart was when Rueben questions “ Was it possible that real loss had occurred at the death of Isreal Finch? That real grief has been felt?”.  It was as though Reuben thought that Mr. Finch was heartless and did not care about his son (who also seemed heartless after trying to molest Davy’s girl and his sister). When I read this part, after the description of Mr. Finch, a sudden sadness overwhelms me. The fact that while reading the previous chapters the writing and the reader focuses on the bad that Isreal had done and how he is killed, but as the reader, we forget to think about the aftereffects of this situation. Until this part it had seemed as though everyone had forgotten about the boys. But not Mr. Finch. Neither Rueben.

This part of the story adds depth and reality to the chapter. It is an important piece in the book and i feel that Enger did a fantastic job of incorporating it and expanding on this idea of grief of a lost loved one.

Dictionary.com. Define Greif at Dictionary.com, 2011.http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/grief. March 30th 2011.

Hills Like White Elephants Reflection

      “Hills Like White Elephants” written by Ernest Hemingway is about a young girl wrestling with the idea of abortion due to the pressures and influences of the man in the relationship. The phrase which stood out and was repeated frequently throughout the passage the hills looking like “white elephants.” Throughout the passage, one can see how as the young girl studies the white hills she begins to reflect and realize how unique her baby is. The young girl begins to reconsider the abortion. This allusion links the unborn child and the white elephant.   The man sees the operation as a simple medical procedure and and he tries his best to persuade her into it.  As she considers his point of view she looks at the dry countryside, which is barren,  symbolizing her body after the abortion. The couple continues arguing until the young girl say “Would you please please please please please please please please stop talking?”

      When looking further into the symbolism of the White Hills, one can imagine the hills metaphorically representing a pregnant woman’s womb.  The hills are located on the other side of the valley, which can only be seen from a distance. The reflection of the distant hills might indicate that the girl finds it a distressing choice between the dry country and the hills. The dry country with the man also represents an abortion and the hills signify pregnancy and therefore leaving the man. It is also evident that that the man never looks at the hills. He avoids the fact that the choice of abortion is a difficult one. Lastly,  the color white in this story symbolizes the unborn child’s innocence.

      This phrase adds depth to our reading by portraying the issue of abortion in a metaphorical way. Although the word “abortion” is not found within the story, Hemingway uses two literary elements to portray this – the setting and symbolism.

Machete. N/A. October 2, 2006. “Like White Elephants – Literary Analysis”. Monday January 17, 2011

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