# Peter Pienaar — Mr. Standfast character guide

> Peter Pienaar in Mr. Standfast by John Buchan.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** old Peter, Peter Dobson, Pete

**First appearance:** 0002-mr-standfast

## Snapshot

An old Boer scout and hunter, crippled and captive, who turns his imprisonment into a hard-won philosophy of courage and becomes Hannay's conscience.

## Who they are

Peter is Hannay's oldest comrade from South African days, a gentle, ungrammatical man who has faced death so often it has become ordinary. Wounded and taken prisoner, he fills his letters with reflections on bravery drawn from the Bible and Pilgrim's Progress, measuring himself against Mr. Standfast and finding himself wanting. His quiet resolve and his stubborn refusal to be pitied give the novel its moral centre, and his fate hangs over the whole adventure.

## Relationships

### [Mary Lamington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/mary_lamington)

_friendship_

Mary and Peter share a warm, respectful friendship, with Peter acting as a protective older figure.

### [Lensch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/lensch)

_rivalry_

Lensch is a German agent and deadly enemy of Peter, leading to a violent confrontation.

### [Mary Lamington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/mary_lamington)

_friendship_

Mary and Peter share a warm, respectful friendship, with Peter acting as a protective older figure.

### [Lensch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/lensch)

_rivalry_

Lensch is a German agent and deadly enemy of Peter, leading to a violent confrontation.

## In the story

### [The Wicket-Gate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-i-the-wicket-gate)

Hannay receives a letter from the crippled Peter, whose cheerfulness stiffens his resolve.

### [Various Doings in the West](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-v-various-doings-in-the-west)

Mentioned in Hannay's reminiscences.

### [I Hear of the Wild Birds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-vii-i-hear-of-the-wild-birds)

Hannay thinks of Peter in his prison camp, wishing he were present for the mission.

### [IX: I Take the Wings of a Dove](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-ix-i-take-the-wings-of-a-dove)

Mentioned as a top pilot, now a prisoner; Hannay reflects on his fate.

### [The Valley of Humiliation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-xi-the-valley-of-humiliation)

Writes a long letter from a German prison camp, reflecting on courage and fortitude, citing Valiant-for-Truth and Billy Strang.

### [St. Anton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xv-st-anton)

Injured and lame, Peter is staying in St. Anton, showing remarkable stoicism and fortitude despite his suffering.

### [XVI: I Lie on a Hard Bed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xvi-i-lie-on-a-hard-bed)

Hannay thinks of Peter's sacrifice and his one leg, drawing inspiration from his memory.

### [XVII: The Col of the Swallows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii-the-col-of-the-swallows)

Hannay briefs Peter on Ivery's plan and entrusts him with getting word to Blenkiron about the Wild Birds.

### [The Storm Breaks in the West](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xx-the-storm-breaks-in-the-west)

Travels with the group; Hannay sends him to England for safety.

### [The Summons Comes for Mr. Standfast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xxii-the-summons-comes-for-mr-standfast)

Peter is dead, having been killed in the previous day's battle. Hannay recalls his sacrifice and the honor bestowed upon him, reading from Peter's Pilgrim's Progress at his grave.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/peter_pienaar
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters