Peace Shall Destroy Many
Thom Wiens and Pete Block Rudy Wiebe's novel, Peace Shall Destroy Many, tells of a story that takes place in the heart of Saskatchewan and describes the problems of a Mennonite community. There are many contrasting beliefs in this Mennonite community. Beliefs about traditions, the
Métis, and war going on around them. These beliefs come up within two characters in this novel, Thom Wiens, and Pete Block. These two friends have many things in common, yet throughout the novel, their differences start to shine through. Their beliefs start to change and their friendship starts to dwindle, although in the end they both discover flaws within the community. Thom and Pete share a few similarities, some key differences, and they both change their ways as the story progresses.
Thom and Pete show a few similarities, but they don't agree on everything. Thom and Pete, both brought up in a Mennonite community, have been taught the traditions of the fathers. Knowing eachother all their lives, they are good friends. They first both accept the traditions without question because the traditions are the only answer, they are simply "right"(5). Also, Pete and Thom both agree that war is evil, but for different reasons. Neither of them want to be in the army, because they believe in non-resistance (6
& 213). Both Thom and Pete also look up to Pete's father, Deacon Block. Although this also changes for both of them, especially Thom, as the story continues.
We are shown many differences between Thom and Pete in how they live their lives, and in what they believe and fallow. The two boys agree that war is evil, but they have two different reasons for this. Pete believes he should not join the army because he is a Mennonite, and Mennonites taught their children not to resist their enemies(213). He also has a lot of work to do on the farm and he can freely say that it would be against his conscience to go in the army (7). Thom's reason for not going to war was that he is a
Métis, and war going on around them. These beliefs come up within two characters in this novel, Thom Wiens, and Pete Block. These two friends have many things in common, yet throughout the novel, their differences start to shine through. Their beliefs start to change and their friendship starts to dwindle, although in the end they both discover flaws within the community. Thom and Pete share a few similarities, some key differences, and they both change their ways as the story progresses.
Thom and Pete show a few similarities, but they don't agree on everything. Thom and Pete, both brought up in a Mennonite community, have been taught the traditions of the fathers. Knowing eachother all their lives, they are good friends. They first both accept the traditions without question because the traditions are the only answer, they are simply "right"(5). Also, Pete and Thom both agree that war is evil, but for different reasons. Neither of them want to be in the army, because they believe in non-resistance (6
& 213). Both Thom and Pete also look up to Pete's father, Deacon Block. Although this also changes for both of them, especially Thom, as the story continues.
We are shown many differences between Thom and Pete in how they live their lives, and in what they believe and fallow. The two boys agree that war is evil, but they have two different reasons for this. Pete believes he should not join the army because he is a Mennonite, and Mennonites taught their children not to resist their enemies(213). He also has a lot of work to do on the farm and he can freely say that it would be against his conscience to go in the army (7). Thom's reason for not going to war was that he is a