Crazy Ivar Character Analysis in O Pioneers!

Ivar is an elderly man with a strong upper body and white hair. He is deeply religious and loves animals, but his unconventional ways frighten most people. Alexandra recognizes that Ivar knows how to care for animals and livestock, and she takes him in after he loses his land to mismanagement.

Crazy Ivar Character Timeline in O Pioneers!

The timeline below shows where the character Crazy Ivar appears in O Pioneers!. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...runs out to greet them, and they invite him to ride with them to Crazy Ivar’s place, where they hope to buy a hammock. Carl agrees to go, saying that he... (full context)

Carl teases Emil, asking him if he isn’t scared to go to Ivar’s. Emil admits that he would be frightened if he weren’t with everyone else in the... (full context)

When Ivar hears the Bergsons’ wagon approaching, he jumps up and shouts, “No guns, no guns!” until... (full context)

Emil, having lost his fear, asks Ivar about birds, while Alexandra selects a hammock. After she finishes choosing the hammock and speaking... (full context)

On the ride home, however, the boys forget their ill humor and joke about Ivar’s crazy notions about farming. Alexandra doesn’t propose any reforms out loud, but later in the... (full context)

...Signa, who is being courted by one of the men at the table, Nelse Jensen. Ivar also sits at the table. He lost his land a dozen years ago through mismanagement,... (full context)

After the meal, Ivar speaks to Alexandra about his worries. He says that there has been talk of sending... (full context)

...married a foreigner, and none of their children understand Swedish. Lou says that he described Ivar’s symptoms to a doctor in Hanover while he was there, and the doctor believed Ivar... (full context)

Annie says that her daughter, Milly, is terrified of Ivar, but Milly, who is more at ease with Alexandra than with her mother, just grins,... (full context)

As Ivar drives the carriage up to the gate, Annie emerges from the house and Carl goes... (full context)

Self-sacrifice vs. Temptation Theme Icon

...ducks. When Emil manages to shoot a few, however, Marie’s face crumples. She says that Ivar’s right about wild things—that they’re too happy to kill. Emil assents and apologizes that he... (full context)

...to the family quarrel, but on the first day of December, Alexandra informs Annie that Ivar will be picking up Mrs. Lee the next day. Mrs. Lee enjoys the liberty Alexandra... (full context)

When Ivar climbs down from his loft the next morning, he comes across Emil’s mare, lather-stained and... (full context)

When Ivar reaches the hedge and discovers the bodies, he falls to the ground and prays. Alexandra... (full context)

Three months after the violent deaths of Marie and Emil, Ivar is sitting in the shed at 5 o’clock in the evening, mending a harness. A... (full context)

...Alexandra is acting—she needs reminding about when to eat and when to go to bed. Ivar reassures Signa that Alexandra will eventually find peace. Until then, he and Signa will bear... (full context)

Signa suddenly asks Ivar why he goes barefoot. Ivar responds that it is to indulge his body and protect... (full context)

When Ivar reaches the graveyard, the storm has died down, and he finds Alexandra by John Bergson’s... (full context)

When they arrive home, Signa and Ivar take care of Alexandra and put her to bed, where she has the illusion of... (full context)