Peace like a River- Annotation

Author Leif Enger, of Peace like a River, uses strong motifs throughout his book. Each motif is almost like a symbol and a foreshadowing of an event to come. From the start of the book we see miracles and biblical analogies, such as the spiritual relationship Jeremiah Land has with God and the ability for miracles to flow through his life. We also can see a water motif, taking form in snow or fog. Even the recurrence of dreams is symbolic. But what I would like to focus on is the symbolism behind Enger's crow motif. There are a lot of birds mentioned in this book, but more specifically I wanted to narrow in on the significance of the crow.

According to Vanya, an online author, the crow "teaches us how to learn from situations and to feel 'guilt free' when we are assertive. Crow is the bringer of harmony" (Vanya, Web). Another online source refers to crows as showing "integrity and doing unto others as we would have them do to us" (theearthangelconnection.com). And as another informational source, in class throughout this semester we have had to read poems that also use birds as a motif, and through class lectures and discussions we talked about birds being this symbol of freedom and release.

Along the journey to find Davy, Jeremiah and his children- Reuben and Swede- are driving through North Dakota and along the road they see something that appears to be a piece of trash. Upon getting closer, they realize it is a dead crow. Jeremiah makes a statement that it was the first crow he "ever saw hit on the road" (Enger 133). Later on when Reuben actually finds Davy and is keeping it a secret from the rest of their family, the two have a conversation and while talking, crows gathered above them tutting and cawing. These are just two of many examples, but I found these two to have the most depth with the situations surrounding them.

Now knowing the real meaning behind the crows, I can look at these passages and think “how did I not see the ending?” When the Land family sees the dead crow in the road, it is as if they are looking at Davy and his life. Davy has committed a crime that has no excuse; he’s gone and killed two boys. Not only that, he has run away and escaped from jail. So now Davy is wanted for more than one crime. As the crow is a symbol of being guilt-free and doing to others what you wish they do to you, this is no longer just seeing a crow that got run over by a vehicle. It is this moment where the thought of Davy being guilt-free is put to death. We could even venture to say it symbolizes his freedom being taken away.

Tutting, which means “contempt, disdain, or impatience” (dictionary.com) also adds another level to the next scene. While Davy and Reuben are talking, this symbol of freedom and integrity is flying and soaring above them with contempt and disdain. Is this possibly a view of how we should be looking at Davy? It may be. It certainly gives the story an attitude. This bird that is supposed to be guilt-free and bring harmony is now cawing out cries of contempt above him.

Davy never gets caught. But his brother Reuben had the pivotal moment in realizing that his brother is not as innocent as he thought he was. It may have been a slight letdown, you always want to believe the best of someone you love. But in the end, they manage to restore a relationship that lasts throughout the rest of their years.

Citations

“Bird Symbolism. Working with Bird Energies” Sacredearth-Sacredart.com. Vanya. Web. 2007.

Theearthangelconnection.com

"Tutting" Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 6 April, 2011. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tutting