Jeremiah Land (Dad) Character Analysis in Peace Like a River

Jeremiah is a deeply religious man who seems to regularly work miracles and speak directly with God. For example, he walks on thin air, cures the sick, and feeds a large crowd with a small pot of soup. Jeremiah works as a janitor for the Roofing school district and he raises his three children, Reuben, Swede, and Davy, by himself. Jeremiah, whose miracles make him a Christ figure, is the moral center of the novel, and it’s his example that ushers Reuben into a more complex and adult idea of morality. After Davy becomes an outlaw, Reuben cannot understand some of his father’s choices and beliefs: for example, Jeremiah’s belief that Davy should face consequences for his actions, and his eventual decision to cooperate with Andreeson to find Davy. While Reuben’s simplistic, black-and-white morality at first can only interpret Jeremiah’s actions as disloyal to the family, Reuben comes to understand that Jeremiah is operating out of empathy for everyone. Instead of understanding Davy’s predicament purely in terms of family loyalty, Jeremiah takes into account the effects of the situation on everyone involved and he tries to do right by all. As Jeremiah is always willing to put his own self-interest second, it’s not surprising that he makes the ultimate sacrifice for his son at the end of the book. When he and Reuben are badly wounded, they both end up in heaven, and Jeremiah chooses to die so that Reuben can live, which cements his status as a Christ figure.

Jeremiah Land (Dad) Quotes in Peace Like a River

The Peace Like a River quotes below are all either spoken by Jeremiah Land (Dad) or refer to Jeremiah Land (Dad). For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

I believe I was preserved, through those twelve airless minutes, in order to be a witness, and as a witness, let me say that a miracle is no cute thing but more like the swing of a sword.

Related Characters: Reuben Land (speaker), Jeremiah Land (Dad)

Page Number and Citation: 4

Explanation and Analysis:

It took me a second to realize he meant us. Dread landed flopping in my stomach. We'd never had an enemy before, unless you counted Russia.

Related Characters: Reuben Land (speaker), Tommy Basca, Jeremiah Land (Dad), Davy Land

Page Number and Citation: 12

Explanation and Analysis:

Well, we all hold history differently inside us. For Swede such episodes retold themselves into a seamless and momentous narrative; she had a Homeric grasp on the significance of events, and still does; one of her recent letters asks, Is it hubris to believe we all live epics? (Perhaps it is, but I suspect she's not actually counting on me for an answer.)

Related Characters: Reuben Land (speaker), Swede Land, Jeremiah Land (Dad)

Page Number and Citation: 55

Explanation and Analysis:

But the whole thing bothered Davy, and with Dad out of earshot he'd say so. You couldn't get blown around in a tornado, he said, and not get banged up. It didn't make sense. It wasn't right.
Swede challenged him. "Are you calling Dad a liar?"
"Of course not. I know it happened. It just shouldn't have. Don't you see that?"

Related Characters: Reuben Land (speaker), Davy Land (speaker), Swede Land (speaker), Jeremiah Land (Dad)

Page Number and Citation: 56

Explanation and Analysis:

It was the fact that Chester the Fester, the worst man I'd ever seen, even worse in his way than Israel Finch, got a whole new face to look out of and didn't even know to be grateful; while I, my father's son, had to be still and resolute and breathe steam to stay alive.

Related Characters: Reuben Land (speaker), Jeremiah Land (Dad), Superintendent Chester Holgren, Israel Finch

Page Number and Citation: 80

Explanation and Analysis:

They were the harshest words I'd ever heard him speak. I watched him sipping his coffee, his face foreign with misgiving. How I wanted to understand him! But I was eleven, and my brother had escaped from the pit where my vanity had placed him (a vain notion itself, Swede has since pointed out, yet it was certainty to me). How could my father not be joyous over such a thing? Who in this world could ask for more?

Related Characters: Reuben Land (speaker), Swede Land, Davy Land, Jeremiah Land (Dad)

Page Number and Citation: 95

Explanation and Analysis:

How could we not have faith? For the foundation had been laid in prayer and sorrow. Since that fearful night, Dad had responded with the almost impossible work of belief. He had burned with repentance as though his own hand had fired the gun.

Related Characters: Reuben Land (speaker), Jeremiah Land (Dad)

Page Number and Citation: 131

Explanation and Analysis:

"Well," I said, "he wrote a whole book and it's in the Bible." Even Dad, much as I loved him, didn't have anything in there.

Related Characters: Reuben Land (speaker), Swede Land, Jeremiah Land (Dad)

Page Number and Citation: 169

Explanation and Analysis:

Were Dad's heart my tablet I'd have taken it up and erased Davy's name, so terribly did I wish to stay, and had it been whispered to me that all of Roofing had burned... I'd have rolled down the window and shouted thanks to Heaven...

Related Characters: Reuben Land (speaker), Jeremiah Land (Dad), Roxanna Crawley, Davy Land

Page Number and Citation: 198

Explanation and Analysis:

Led? This was supposed to mean the Lord was in charge and paving your way, such as letting you get fired so you'll be free to leave town, or sending you an Airstream you can go in comfort. Dad knew something about being led, I realized, yet this I could not buy.

Related Characters: Reuben Land (speaker), Roxanna Crawley, Martin Andreeson, Jeremiah Land (Dad)

Page Number and Citation: 217

Explanation and Analysis:

"If you like Mr. Andreeson better as an enemy, then keep him one. Maybe that's your job as a boy—as a brother. My job is different."
"How come?"
"Because I'm the dad. I have to heed the Lord's instructions."

Related Characters: Jeremiah Land (Dad) (speaker), Reuben Land (speaker), Martin Andreeson

Page Number and Citation: 246

Explanation and Analysis:

"I can't," he replied, after a moment. "You know that, Swede." He looked, right then, for the first time in years, his age, which was seventeen.

Related Characters: Davy Land (speaker), Swede Land, Reuben Land, Jeremiah Land (Dad)

Page Number and Citation: 295

Explanation and Analysis:

Jeremiah Land (Dad) Character Timeline in Peace Like a River

The timeline below shows where the character Jeremiah Land (Dad) appears in Peace Like a River. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...of lungs." When he was born in 1951, his lungs refused to work. His father, Jeremiah, was pacing outside the hospital and praying while his mother labored inside. After the fifth... (full context)

When Jeremiah entered the room, Reuben lay uncovered on a metal table and Dr. Nokes was trying... (full context)

Reuben says that while several people witnessed Jeremiah's miracles, most of them ignored what they saw. Reuben believes he was allowed to live... (full context)

...where Reuben shot his first goose. At the time, the tension was so great between Dad and Reuben’s brother Davy that on the way to August Schultz's farm in North Dakota,... (full context)

On the morning of the hunt, Dad, Davy, Reuben, and Swede settle into the field amongst their decoys. Reuben and Swede are... (full context)

...angry goose turns to Swede and begins to chase her back towards Reuben, Davy, and Dad. Dad laughs, and as Swede and the goose run past, Davy grabs the bird and... (full context)

Fiction, Reality, and the American West Theme Icon

Reuben says that he doesn't understand what's going on with Dad and Davy. Swede explains that she heard in the car last night that Israel Finch... (full context)

Davy misses pancakes, but Dad doesn't comment. After pancakes Dad, Reuben, and Swede nap, but Reuben wakes to see Davy... (full context)

...if he hadn't felt so mature after shooting the goose that morning. When Reuben, Swede, Dad, and Davy reach the crest of the hill, the geese are waddling away from them.... (full context)

The geese panic and take flight. Dad begins to rise but Davy instructs him to wait. Davy points out a goose that... (full context)

...really are. Reuben and Swede fall quiet and listen to the talk from downstairs as Dad and August, friends from childhood, hash through their old stories. (full context)

...hears footsteps that stop abruptly and then pick up again. He recognizes the steps as Dad's, but he is confused by the abrupt stops and starts. Reuben creeps to the door... (full context)

When the Lands arrive back home in Roofing, with Swede fast asleep in Dad's arms and Reuben struggling for breath, they find the front door tarred. Dad puts Swede... (full context)

Dad lights the kitchen stove and pours salt and baking soda into a pot of water.... (full context)

Dad says that the door isn't going to come clean, and begins to tell Reuben about... (full context)

...to the locker room to retrieve a pair of shoes midway through the football game. Dad was cleaning vomit in the boys' locker room when he heard male laughter coming from... (full context)

Reuben returns the narrative to the kitchen, and asks Dad what they will do in retaliation. Dad replies that they’ll do nothing. He sweeps up... (full context)

Reuben and Bethany watch for a moment, and Bethany points out that Jeremiah is on the floor too. Reuben approaches his father, who looks very peaceful. As Reuben... (full context)

...in on the adults that night and hears Ted Pullet, the local police officer, telling Dad that he'll talk to "those boys" in the morning. Davy asks how many times a... (full context)

Swede turns nine the following morning. Dad, Davy, and Reuben wake her up in the morning singing "Happy Birthday" to her, and... (full context)

The day proceeds with all sorts of luxuries. After lunch, Dad pulls a balloon out of the closet. It turns out to be a small hot... (full context)

...around to look and when he returns, he says it's Tin Lurvy. Swede looks stricken. Dad invites Lurvy in for coffee, and Reuben explains that Lurvy is a traveling salesman who... (full context)

...Davy and Reuben walk, Davy asks Reuben if he saw Swede's bruises. They wonder if Dad is afraid of Israel and Tommy. Davy asks Reuben if he thinks God looks out... (full context)

...Tin Lurvy is planning on staying for supper. Reuben inspects the soup and realizes that Dad only made a regular batch, not the triple batch needed to feed Tin Lurvy. Reuben... (full context)

...not long after cake. Rain falls outside and Swede wonders if it'll turn to snow. Dad trips over Swede's saddle on his way to bed, and Swede and Reuben head to... (full context)

After midnight Reuben hears the back door open and notices that both Dad and Davy are in bed asleep. Reuben listens to footsteps in the living room but... (full context)

...very annoyed if Reuben tried to cast what happened in a "redemptive glow." Reuben, Davy, Dad, and Swede wait for Ted Pullet, and Reuben babbles that Davy hadn't meant to do... (full context)

Stepping out of the narrative, Reuben says that when Dad was 28 he was picked up by a tornado. Dad was still married to Mom... (full context)

After that event, Dad finished the semester, moved off campus, and found work as a plumber's assistant. Reuben says... (full context)

...motel and go to visit Davy the next day. At the end of their visit, Dad sends Reuben and Swede out so he can talk to Davy alone. Dad's quiet when... (full context)

...reader that he does mean to forgive them eventually, but not yet. He remarks that Dad seemed to suffer the most in the following weeks, not Davy. Davy seemed to remain... (full context)

Dad learns that Davy will be charged with two counts of manslaughter rather than murder, because... (full context)

...come out of her room, declaring that she's working and doesn't want to be bothered. Dad is at work, but had given Swede and Reuben the option of staying out of... (full context)

Thomas DeCuellar finds this troubling. He tells Dad one night that people are sympathizing with Israel and Tommy, and asks Dad if he's... (full context)

The next day, Mr. Holgren fires Dad. In the school cafeteria, Reuben sits with his class drinking milk out of bottles, the... (full context)

...the table with his thigh and sends six bottles of milk toppling to the floor. Dad appears and begins to clean up the milk. Reuben feels ashamed that his dad is... (full context)

Mr. Holgren then angrily fires Dad. As Reuben starts toward his father, he watches Dad reach up and slap Mr. Holgren... (full context)

...that Davy smashed the windows of Israel Finch's car on the night of the murder. Dad and Mr. DeCuellar don't look surprised. Reuben realizes that Davy had essentially given Israel and... (full context)

...the knives, and pulls Swede's knives from her belt. Reuben wakes before dawn to find Dad in between him and Swede, trying to rouse them. Davy has broken out of jail. (full context)

...Davy escaped sometime in the night. The police assemble a posse and Sheriff Pym tells Dad that the police will have Davy by lunch. Swede, still thrilled with Davy's escape, remarks... (full context)

...days, the posse grows in size. According to Walt Stockard, a deputy who regularly visits Dad at the DeCuellars', local men with all manner of weapons assemble daily to join the... (full context)

...which there's little—the rain erased any scent trail. Sheriff Pym grows angrier, and Walt tells Dad one day that Sheriff Pym is considering a house-to-house search. Mr. DeCuellar brushes this off... (full context)

...then hitchhiked. The newspapers continue to paint Davy in a heroic light, which delights Swede. Dad, however, becomes sad and stops answering the phone. He spends his nights praying over his... (full context)

Christmas looks bleak for the Lands—Dad finds irregular work, but soon comes down with a bad cough. Reuben and Swede wonder... (full context)

Reuben says that years later, Dr. Nokes said his main concern wasn't Dad, but Reuben, as his asthmatic lungs would never be able to handle pneumonia. Back in... (full context)

Swede tells Reuben that Dad is worse, and his lungs are filling up like Reuben's do. Hearing Dad thumping his... (full context)

...he'd ever done at that point, he realized soon that Swede's job of caring for Dad was harder. One night, after Reuben returns home, he stands at Dad's bedside and watches... (full context)

...Bethany Orchard wanted for Christmas so he could buy her a present. On December 23, Dad finally gets out of bed. Reuben, overjoyed, runs to help Swede make oatmeal for breakfast.... (full context)

Reuben lists some of the foodstuffs he and Swede buy. Dad is especially happy with the coffee, and remarks on Reuben's strength as he drinks his... (full context)

...early and begins preparing Christmas dinner, saying she can't wait for actual Christmas. Reuben and Dad spend the day wandering through the house smelling the food smells wafting out of the... (full context)

...indicates that Andreeson visited them as well. While Swede is ready to head west immediately, Dad spends the next few days selling household items and buying canned food with the profits.... (full context)

Dad, Reuben, and Swede leave on January 22. They stop the Plymouth (their old car) at... (full context)

...and asks what it is. As they get closer, they realize it's a dead crow. Dad mentions that he's never seen a dead crow in the road before. Minutes later, they... (full context)

Dad, Reuben, and Swede reach August and Birdie's house late in the afternoon. Their arrival rouses... (full context)

Swede feigns exhaustion, but Dad sees right through it. Reuben explains that Dad is well aware that the children's assigned... (full context)

Reuben doesn't understand what Dad wants to trade, and finds that most of the conversation is beyond him. He says... (full context)

...Reuben realizes he's never been with August alone, and understands the gift of being with Dad's best friend. August suddenly stands and suggests they take a ride. (full context)

...and head upstream. They pull off into a fallow pasture, and August asks Reuben if Dad is okay. Reuben thinks that Dad is certainly on the mend. (full context)

...in the distance with a big black turkey lurking around it. August tells Reuben that Dad grew up in this house, and Reuben is ashamed he didn't recognize it. August describes... (full context)

...breakfast, August winks several times at Reuben while Swede pouts at having been left out. Dad calls Reuben "Natty Bumppo" (a character from Last of the Mohicans) and Reuben ruminates on... (full context)

Swede had convinced Dad to allow her to bring both her saddle her typewriter on the trip. As the... (full context)

...Davy of anything, concludes that he never has, and further figures that neither Swede or Dad ever have either. Reuben asks Swede her thoughts on the matter, and the two discuss... (full context)

...stop at a park in Linton at noon to cook beans. After lunch Reuben and Dad take a nap, but Reuben wakes minutes later to Swede saying that Andreeson is parked... (full context)

Dad wakes up again for dinner. As they eat, they hear a bang on the Airstream... (full context)

...types up several verses about a posse's ill-fated search for Sunny Sundown. She wakes before Dad the next morning and when Dad suggests they have pancakes, she suggests they leave early... (full context)

...they packed along as a precaution. When they approach a station, they find it deserted. Dad decides that they'll be able to make it to Mandan. (full context)

When they reach Mandan, Dad begins to slow down for the first gas station but decides to pass it by.... (full context)

...the reader to "make of it what you will." That night, Swede tells Reuben that Dad is just like Moses parting the Red Sea. Reuben believes this comparison is somewhat impertinent.... (full context)

The Lands still need gas. Ten miles out of Mandan, Dad pulls over, uses the spare ten gallons, and lies down with a headache. Swede reminds... (full context)

...more gas after miraculously evading state troopers earlier that day. They discuss the possibility that Dad prayed for it to happen, potentially with his eyes closed. Reuben suggests that if you're... (full context)

Reuben says he doesn't know if Dad prays for "them" (miracles) or if they just happen. He reminds Swede of the miracle... (full context)

...degrees the next morning. The trailer ran out of propane in the night, so Reuben, Dad, and Swede eat dry cereal for breakfast since the milk is frozen. As Reuben kneels... (full context)

...they see a farmhouse with gas pumps outside. A sign reads "Dale's Oil Company," and Dad suggests they stop. (full context)

Dad knocks on the farmhouse door. On the second knock, a woman opens the door holding... (full context)

Reuben, Swede, and Dad wait inside while Roxanna fills the propane tank. A nanny goat and her blind kid... (full context)

Roxanna serves her guests a fantastic meal. Dad looks content and Swede appears deep in thought. Roxanna tells them that she grew up... (full context)

As Roxanna talks, Dad leans back and seems very happy at how their evening is playing out. Reuben remarks... (full context)

...of skin comes to steal his breath. He wakes, scared and confused, to Swede crying, Dad holding him, and someone thumping his back. In his confusion Reuben tries to break free,... (full context)

...her bed, and Reuben yells for her. The house is empty, and Reuben looks out Dad's window. He sees Dad, Roxanna, and Swede shoveling a path to the barn. Reuben tries... (full context)

...wakes Reuben up several hours later, excited by the deep snow and the fact that Dad decided they're going to stay another night with Roxanna. Reuben is too engrossed in his... (full context)

Dad enters and says that the snowplows are coming. He tells Roxanna that they can settle... (full context)

After the plow passes, Dad instructs Reuben and Swede to pack their things. Swede is extremely upset, and isn't comforted... (full context)

...for a picnic. She and the Lands pile into the Plymouth. Roxanna gives directions and Dad drives. Reuben wishes he could erase Davy out of Dad's mind, and thinks that if... (full context)

Roxanna tells Dad to park and then leads them up a hill. When they look down from the... (full context)

As Roxanna dishes up food out of her Dutch oven, Dad points out that Martin Andreeson is approaching. Andreeson refuses Dad's dinner invitation, introduces himself to... (full context)

...reader that judging by the look on her face, she'd raised Davy herself. Andreeson asks Dad if he'd help by driving around with him, suggesting that he might be able to... (full context)

Reuben feels sick and scared of Andreeson. Dad refuses Andreeson's request and tells Andreeson he's suggesting "spookism." Andreeson says that Mr. Holgren believes... (full context)

...again. When they reach the hill behind Roxanna's, Reuben shamefully tells Davy that he'll tell Dad if Davy doesn't show him where he lives. Davy finally agrees and Reuben, surprised, falls... (full context)

...is grumpily mixing up frosting for cinnamon rolls. Swede asks if Reuben was looking for Dad, and explains that Dad went out with Mr. Andreeson. Reuben cannot understand why Dad would... (full context)

...deems him recovered and feeds him soup. As she rolls out piecrust, Reuben asks when Dad is coming home. Roxanna shares that there's been no big news, and Reuben sees that... (full context)

Dad moves out to sleep in the Airstream that night. Swede tells Reuben that it's "for... (full context)

In the barn, Reuben tells Dad that he liked it better when Mr. Andreeson was an enemy. Dad leads Reuben in... (full context)

...that he made the trip with Davy three more times and struggled to justify deceiving Dad. One night, Reuben mentions how sad Mr. Finch looked and asks Davy if he feels... (full context)

Reuben wakes up around noon the next day, barely able to breath and feverish again. Dad offers to fetch some aspirin, and Reuben notices that Dad is wearing nice clothes. He... (full context)

Swede sits with Reuben reading Psalms. She tells Reuben that Dad is off courting Roxanna, and Reuben realizes that his family hadn't experienced a miracle since... (full context)

...As he asks Swede if she'll get mad if he tells her something, they hear Dad come through the door. Dad enters Reuben's bedroom with a doctor, Dr. Nickles. Dr. Nickles... (full context)

After Dr. Nickles leaves, Dad comes upstairs and asks Reuben if the steam helps. Reuben insists it does. Dad asks... (full context)

...down to the kitchen to find Mr. Andreeson sitting at the table drinking coffee with Dad. Reuben wants to hate Andreeson, but can't quite bring himself to feel that way. Andreeson... (full context)

...with news that the man who was supposed to accompany him to Davy never showed. Dad suggests prayer. When Dad hangs up, he asks Reuben if there's something he needs to... (full context)

...Waltzer would eat Davy or Sara first. Reuben finally goes to the Airstream to find Dad. (full context)

Reuben sits outside the trailer and listens to Dad plucking away on the guitar and singing. Reuben then goes back inside, where Roxanna is... (full context)

When the wind finally ends, Dad, Swede, and Roxanna go outside to shovel and Reuben is tasked with waiting by the... (full context)

A horrible thought grips Reuben. Dad asks Reuben what's wrong, and Reuben says that Andreeson is in trouble. He thinks of... (full context)

...as Mr. Juval, a federal investigator. They debate whether Reuben should go or not, and Dad argues that Reuben should go. With that decided, the posse rides into the hills. (full context)

...wounds. He wonders what Davy will think of Reuben's betrayal, and thinks that nobody but Dad will ever forgive him. (full context)

Reuben tells the reader that Dad and Roxanna got married in March. They returned to Roofing at the end of February,... (full context)

A few days after the wedding, Dad tasks Reuben with cleaning out the Airstream (which Dad had sold to Dr. Nokes months... (full context)

...God's parting gift to the Land family. Reuben spends his days sleeping and listening to Dad play the guitar. One day, a boy from school brings Reuben the Spartacus model Reuben... (full context)

...out they drove away in Mr. Waltzer's car. Davy asks if Sara can stay with Dad and Roxanna. Swede asks Davy if he'll stay too, but Davy tells her he can't.... (full context)

Nobody mentions Andreeson, but Reuben thinks about him. After 11 pm, Reuben goes upstairs with Dad to make Sara's bed. Roxanna and Sara go to bed while Davy, Swede, Dad, and... (full context)

...Lands don't see him, though he isn't trying to hide. They hear a gunshot and Dad falls across the car. Roxanna tries to restrain Reuben on the porch, but he breaks... (full context)

...end and Reuben spots a man running by a stream. He recognizes the man as Jeremiah Land, and remembers what happened before they found themselves in this country. Dad and Reuben... (full context)

Dad suggests they run and they take off towards the “master.” When they reach a deep... (full context)

...times. Roxanna called the sheriff, Dr. Nokes, and God. Sara hid while Swede frantically searched Dad's closet for his shotgun. Reuben says that later he was told that he lay facedown... (full context)

...trip to the "next country", Reuben's lungs have been perfect. Dr. Nokes tells Reuben that Dad shouldn't have died, because his wound wasn't that bad. Reuben then says that years later,... (full context)

Jeremiah Land (Dad) Character Analysis

Jeremiah Land (Dad) Quotes in Peace Like a River

Clay Quotes

His Separate Shadow Quotes

Peeking at Eternity Quotes

When Sorrows Like Sea Billows Roll Quotes

A Boy on a Horse Quotes

The Substance of Things Hoped For Quotes

Something Warm Quotes

Under the Gibbon Moon Quotes

The Throbbing Heart of News Quotes

Winning Her Hand Quotes

The Red Farm Quotes

Jeremiah Land (Dad) Character Timeline in Peace Like a River