Character Show And Tell In Andre Dubus 'Killings'

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Rebecca Santo Tom Jackson ENC-1102 22Z October 5, 2013 Character Show and Tell in Andre Dubus’s “Killings” As each character is introduced in Killings, by Andre Dubus, the reader can get an idea of who they are, but the characterization develops slowly as the story unfolds bringing new light to each one of them, specifically Matt Fowler and Richard Strout, that draws the reader in to know them intimately. Considering that the plot is not told in chronological order and uses flashbacks to set the scene for certain events, we learn more about each character that wasn’t evident when they are initially described. Throughout the story we see the main characters, Matt Fowler, and his son’s killer Richard Strout in different lights. There…show more content…
We can safely assume that it was caused by jealousy over Mary Ann’s relationship with Frank. The author gives it to us straight, in an odd place in the story, by bluntly stating “Richard Strout shot Frank in front of the boys.” (107), referring to Mary Ann and Richard’s sons. That one sentence intensifies our distain for him. How could one do such a thing? In front of his own children and with no warning, no confrontation, only premeditation. He killed Frank in cold blood and went home to wait for the police. This just contributes to his arrogance, yet it also shows that he was aware of the consequences and was willing to face them. He assumed, however, that he would be facing those consequences with the long arm of the law, not at the short barrel of Matt’s .38 revolver. When confronted by Matt and Willis he appears respectful and almost humble as he addresses them both as “Mr. Fowler, Mr. Trottier” (109). As he obeys the instructions Matt gives him with no resistance, he knows the passion in which Matt is acting on since he had killed for love just as he feared Matt was planning on doing. As they drove Strout made an attempt to gain understanding from Matt, ““He was making it with my wife.” Strout’s voice was careful, not pleading.” (109) In those few words Strout almost becomes human and not the monster we have pegged him for. As he continues to abide by Matt’s direction, he remains calm and obedient, mostly because he is fooled in to believing that Matt has no intention of killing him. Matt telling him that he is being sent away seems to be plausible yet he argues that it won’t work and that there’s no need since he will serve a jail sentence. Matt has a rebuttal for each of his arguments. Hearing Richard explain once again why he killed Frank, adding in that “He [I] wanted to try to get together with her again” and “He [I] couldn’t even talk to her. He was always with her.” (112) again brings a more

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