Day No Pigs Would Die PP

Progeny Press guide for the novel by Robert Newton Peck



Novel Summary

Wandering up on the ridge above his family's farm, Robert Peck comes across a neighbor's cow having difficulty giving birth. Acting quickly, Rob is able to help the cow give birth to two bull calves. He is rewarded by the neighbor, Mr. Tanner, with a piglet of his own to raise. Rob names the pig Pinky and puts his energy into caring for her. He expects Pinky to be a brood sow and provide many more pigs for the family.



Twelve-year-old Rob is the only surviving son in his family. His four older sisters have all married and left home. Rob's father, Haven Peck, a quiet, gentle man, butchers pigs, a job he does not enjoy but performs so he can provide for his family. Mr. Peck cannot read or write, but stresses the importance of education to his son. Although the family is not rich, Mr. Peck says they are rich in the things that truly matter: they have each other, they have land to work, and they have God's creation to enjoy.



In the fall of the year, Rob's father becomes concerned when Pinky shows no signs of going into heat. After some unsuccessful attempts to breed her, Rob faces the prospect that his brood sow may be barren. Pinky's fate becomes more obvious when winter sets in. Food becomes scarce, and Rob knows what has to be done to provide for the family. ""That's what being a man is all about, boy,"" his father tells him. ""It's just doing what's got to be done.""



A Day No Pigs Would Die is the story of a tender relationship between a father and son--a boy in the process of becoming a man.




Study Guide

52 pages

5 Chapter Lessons + Overview

Subjects: Shakers, farming, poverty, family relationships, fathers and sons, the cycle of life and death