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Peace Like A River Vs Othello Essay

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When comparing two completely different novels, it is hard to see where any similarities could possible come to light. Othello and Peace Like a River probably have much more differences than similarities, but there are a few similarities despite the difference in the style of how the books were written, the plot, the time, and many more. Both Leif Enger in Peace Like a River and Shakespeare in Othello address the topic of revenge by murder. However, Leif Enger suggests that Davy killed to protect his family, whereas Shakespeare suggests that Othello killed due to jealousy. Overall, they both killed for the same reason: to get revenge. Shakespeare has an overarching theme of revenge throughout the story. Not only does Othello want revenge …show more content…

I’m not saying he deserved one. He stood in the door with his pathetic club like primal man squinting at extinction. How confused he looked, how pinkeyed and sweaty! Then he lifted the bat, the knothead, and Davy fired, and Israel went backward into Tommy Barca, and Davy levered up a second round and fired again” (49). This is the very surprising scene where Davy killed Israel and Tommy. His reasoning for killing them was because they broke into his family’s home. He felt that in order to protect his family, he needed to kill the boys. In another light, he also got his revenge on the boys for their attack on his girlfriend and the kidnapping of Swede. There is also revenge shown in a different way. Although it is not revenge in the act of murder, the thought of revenge is still the main focus. After Davy is sentenced to prison, Swede has the idea to break him out: “‘we’ve got to break him out’ I should've known it was coming. ‘oh, Swede, don’t now’ She sat up in her sleeping bag. ‘we could do it— bust him out of there. Really. Tonight!’ She had hold of my shoulder. ‘I’m not kidding’” (86). Even though Swede is only 11, she still has the mindset to break out her brother. She thinks he is innocent and shouldn't be in jail, but also wants revenge on the court and the people that sentenced him and believe he is …show more content…

The stories are completely different, but still similar in that way. An overarching theme in Othello was jealousy. Lago set up his whole plan due to his jealousy of Othello and Othello killed his wife because of how jealous he was that she “cheated” on him. In Peace Like a River, Davy kills to protect. The similarity within those differences is the obvious which is they both killed, but it is also similar in why they chose to kill. Both Othello and Davy wanted revenge. They both felt as if it was necessary in order for them to feel better and feel at ease. There were consequences for the both of them, but they still conquered getting their

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