• What was the relevance of Swede's character "Sunny"?

"Sunny" is Swede's character in the ballads that she writes throughout the book.  Sunny was a cowboy in the old West who was modeled after Davy.  Like Davy,  Sunny was a good moral character, trying to protect his family.  He ended up an outlaw because he used force against those threatening his wife.  When something important happens in Davy's life, something similar happens to Sunny.  Swede writes to express herself and because she can no longer be with her brother, she came up with Sunny to take his place. 

• Why do you think Dad seems to have "supernatural" powers at times? Why not Reuben, or Swede?

Dad has supernatural powers because he was so faithful and committed to God, even when it came to giving up his career as a doctor to be a janitor.  I think God rewarded him with this ability in certain times so he could take care of his family.  Also, Dad is not cockey about his ability, bragging to others about it.  In fact he doesn't tell anyone about it; we only know because Reuben was a witness of his miracles.  He is gracious and uses his miracles to help people and not to better himself.  In all that he does, he tries to please God with his ability.

• How would you react if you were the witness of miracles?

If I were a witness to miracles, I would be amazed and totally blown away.  Unlike Reuben, I would probably not be able to keep quiet about it.  I think I would have to tell someone.  But, on the other hand, if I did choose to tell people, most likely they wouldn't believe me, and they would think I was crazy.  I'm not even sure if I would believe that I had really seen it or if I would think I had dreamed a miracle. 

• What is Dad's relationship/connection with God?

Dad's relationship with God is what one would describe as unique. in the book he apperars to have the ability to perform, well, miracles. Examples would include the time when he appeared to walk on air as he prayed fervently to God, or the time that he slapped his employer, only to improve the condition of the man's face, making it have, what one might call, a heavenly glow to it. I think that God chose to reward Dad, by giving him the ability to perform these miracles because of the fact that even in the darkest of times, Dad was always consistent turning only to his Savior for guidance. Dad's loyalty, at least in God's eyes, as well as my own, is something worth rewarding, and as a whole, I think that God's gift to Dad not only helps him get hrough the story, but also gives the rest of the family that little spark of hope that in the end, God will indeed show them the light that will help lead their way through the dark.

• What is significant about the role and/or purpose of Sara?

Even though Sara has a very minor role in the book, she gave Davy a friend when he lived with the villain of the story, Jape Waltzer.  She shows part of Davy's character when we don't know much about him in that his morals aren't decadent, and he still values others' lives as well as his. 

• How'd Roxanna change the outlook of the family?

Roxanna gives the Lands' the boost they need to get through these tough times. Her cheerfulness, and optimism, affect each member of the Land clan, all in positive ways. She gives Dad a reason to fall in love again, and she gives Reuben and Swede the motherly affection that they had grown up not knowing. All in all, I think, that the entering of Roxanna into the story is a turning point between the days of darkness, and the new found days that have meaning and purpose to them.

• How did Davy's shooting of the man change the outcome of the story?

• Why did Davy not feel remorseful about killing Israel Finch and Tommy Basca?