Peter von Woerden Character Analysis in The Hiding Place

Nollie’s son, one of Corrie’s oldest nephews, and her personal favorite. Peter is an exceptionally gifted musician as well as an impetuous idealist: the organist at his church, Peter breaks the law by playing the Dutch national anthem after it’s been outlawed by the Nazis. As a result, he’s briefly imprisoned by the Gestapo. Upon his release, he becomes an important member of Corrie’s operation, working as a “runner” to ferry supplies and news between different safe houses. Arrested at the same time as Corrie and his parents, he is eventually released and spends the rest of the war in Haarlem.

Peter von Woerden Character Timeline in The Hiding Place

The timeline below shows where the character Peter von Woerden appears in The Hiding Place. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...finished baking cookies and her children have arrived home. She reassures Corrie that she’s bringing Peter, her musically gifted son and Corrie’s unofficial favorite nephew. When Corrie returns, the Beje is... (full context)

Soon, Peter looks up from the piano to announce that “the competition” is here. He means Mr.... (full context)

...are having their own children, so the Beje is full of young people. Nollie’s son Peter especially spends a lot of time there, playing on their piano. One day, the family... (full context)

...old cart roll across the square. She herself is inside it, alongside Father, Betsie, Willem, Peter, and family friends like Pickwick and Toos. She feels that they should get off the... (full context)

...in private radio sets, but the ten Booms decide to keep one of theirs, which Peter resourcefully hides under the staircase. When Corrie turns in the other set, the German clerk... (full context)

...singing the Wilhelmus, the Dutch national anthem. One Sunday, the family visits a church where Peter has been hired as organist. At the end of the service, Peter proudly and suddenly... (full context)

Corrie is caught up in the emotion, but afterwards she’s angry with Peter for risking his safety and that of his family. Already, Nollie and Flip are hiding... (full context)

...dressed up as a meterman. Corrie hides the ration cards under a stair, reflecting that Peter did the same thing with the radio and feeling that he would be proud of... (full context)

...Just as she and Kik are preparing to leave, Pickwick tells them he’s learned that Peter will soon be released. Indeed, three weeks later an emaciated and tired Peter returns home. (full context)

Although Peter has returned home, he’s still not safe—German soldiers have developed a practice of grabbing healthy... (full context)

...debates the issue of lying. Nollie says that her daughter did the right thing, but Peter and Corrie think they are being impractical and even illogical; after all, if one speaks... (full context)

...front rooms people are gathering for Willem’s service. Nollie is passing around makeshift coffee and Peter is playing the piano. At the door, the strange man tells Corrie that his wife... (full context)

...He orders everyone to get their coats. Corrie is saddened to see Willem, Nollie, and Peter emerge from another room, caught up in the raid as well. Father insists on winding... (full context)

...out of earshot, Corrie hisses that they must all settle on a cohesive story, but Peter silences her with a frown, whispering that the watchmaker currently talking with Father is a... (full context)

...return to her. Eventually, she finds that while Betsie is still in prison, Nollie, Toos, Peter, Pickwick, Willem, and everyone else from the raid has been released. Only about Father is... (full context)