As Davy's defense lawyer, Mr. DeCuellar spends much of his time in the lead-up to the trial at the Lands’ home. He wears baggy suits and Swede comes quickly to adore him, as he loves history and can explain it in thrilling ways. Jeremiah says that Mr. DeCuellar speaks to children like a man who desperately wanted children but never had them.
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Thomas DeCuellar Character Timeline in Peace Like a River
The timeline below shows where the character Thomas DeCuellar appears in Peace Like a River. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Peeking at Eternity
...than murder, because Israel and Tommy had been bent on "mischief." Swede finds this incredulous. Thomas DeCuellar , Davy's defense attorney, begins to visit. Reuben says he knew that Mr. DeCuellar was...
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Mr. DeCuellar visits several times over the next week. Davy apparently resists all his attempts to paint...
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When Sorrows Like Sea Billows Roll
Thomas DeCuellar finds this troubling. He tells Dad one night that people are sympathizing with Israel and...
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Late in the Night When the Fires Are Out
...Swede pace the hallway until someone offers them a private office where they can wait. Mr. DeCuellar enters and asks Swede who in her family is the best at the game War...
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...prosecutor, Elvis, who begins the formalities. His speech renders Davy as a coldhearted murderer, while Mr. DeCuellar 's response, though sound in Reuben's opinion, doesn't seem to impress the jury. Reuben watches...
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...testify, asks Swede to help him rewrite his narrative to make Davy look better, but Mr. DeCuellar insists that Reuben just tell the truth when he testifies the next day.
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A Boy on a Horse
...this fact out for several days. Early that morning, the sheriff, Charlie Pym, knocks on Mr. DeCuellar 's door and asks if the DeCuellars have had visitors. They hadn't, so all anyone...
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...angrier, and Walt tells Dad one day that Sheriff Pym is considering a house-to-house search. Mr. DeCuellar brushes this off as unconstitutional. In the afternoon, a farmer reports a stolen horse several...
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By the Grace of Lurvy
...calls them for dinner. Someone knocks at the door, and Dad goes and lets in Mr. DeCuellar and Mrs. DeCuellar, carrying gifts for Swede and Reuben. They also offer Dad the keys...
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