Sara Character Analysis in Peace Like a River

Jape Waltzer acquired Sara from her father when Sara was a child, and he raises her to be his wife. She has wild red hair and is very pretty. While Sara doesn't appear outwardly afraid of Mr. Waltzer, she conducts herself very carefully around him and makes sure to do exactly as he asks. Sara ends up married to Reuben when they grow up.

Sara Character Timeline in Peace Like a River

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

...tone to call Jape "Mr. Waltzer," and says that the girl with him is named Sara. (full context)

...anything to ask except why Mr. Waltzer lives here. At that, Mr. Waltzer calls for Sara to pour Reuben coffee. Sara emerges from behind the sheets and pours coffee before returning... (full context)

Mr. Waltzer calls for Sara to prepare dinner as Davy enters the cabin. Davy offers to help Sara, and she... (full context)

...screeching pig runs into Mr. Waltzer's lap. Mr. Waltzer calms the pig and calls for Sara. She emerges from behind the sheets and Reuben wonders why she was in there instead... (full context)

...he'd been dreading seeing Mr. Waltzer again. Reuben asks Davy to come home and bring Sara, but Davy refuses. (full context)

...won't help, since he has to go on anyway. On another night, Davy explains that Sara isn't Mr. Waltzer's real daughter—he "got her" from a man in Utah. Reuben can't fathom... (full context)

...he just listens closely when Mr. Waltzer is around. Davy says he doesn't know if Sara's afraid either. Then Davy points out an owl hunting. Reuben can't see the owl and... (full context)

On Reuben's second visit, Sara asks if Mr. Waltzer showed Reuben his missing fingers. She explains that his fingers were... (full context)

...nothing from Andreeson. A chilling wind picks up outside, and Reuben, thinking of Davy and Sara, wonders out loud to Swede how long it'd take to freeze in the wind. Swede... (full context)

Snuggled against Mr. Ford's horse, Reuben cries and prays for Davy, Andreeson, Sara, and Mr. Waltzer. When he hears Mr. Ford speak, Reuben scrambles back to the thicket.... (full context)

In June, a Ford pulls up the driveway bearing Davy and Sara. The reunion is joyful. Though they don't mention Mr. Waltzer by name, they share that... (full context)

...law. He doesn't mention Mr. Waltzer, and Reuben believes this is Davy being considerate of Sara, who owes Mr. Waltzer for the last six years of her life. (full context)

...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 Reuben stay up... (full context)

...the Ford and the house several 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... (full context)

...Swede says that "drift is the bane of epilogues." Roxanna became the Land family's rock. Sara stayed with the Lands and Roxanna drew her slowly out of her shell while Reuben... (full context)

...around the table to pray. Swede released Reuben's left hand when the prayer ended, but Sara held onto Reuben's right. (full context)

...he does, but then he looks out his window of the house he built with Sara. He sees his daughter or his son, or Sara enters the room, and Reuben feels... (full context)