Peace like a River Essay

Peace Like a River Essay

“We all have a Little Bit Inside of us”

Goodness: The state or quality of being good. Leif Enger chose to express this word in several ways through out the novel Peace Like a River. Leif Enger had a distinctive way, of symbolizing goodness. It could put anyone’s mind to use. Goodness is not to be taken for granted, or even lightly for that matter.

Goodness is associated with kindness and a large portion of this can also be referred to as “hospitality.” It came from the Lands, and quite often was received by the Lands. The first time goodness was recognized as hospitality, was when the Lands would open the arms and doors to anyone who needed somewhere to stay or even just a bowl or three or soup. “Where’s your next stop, Mr. Lurvy? Do you have a long way to go” That was a question asked by Mr. Land when Mr. Lurvy then got himself invited in the Lands home. Davy’s Lawyer, Mr. DeCuellar and his wife, Mrs. DeCuellar secondly provided goodness through the form of hospitality, to the Land family. “….Once she had you inside she became the woman you wish had lived next door all the days of your childhood. She was short round and bright.” The DeCuellar’s had insisted on the Land’s joining them for a delicious home made breakfast the day of Davy’s trial. The third example of goodness being portrayed through hospitality is when August and Birdie invited the Lands