Flesh And Soul In Killings By Andre Dubus

The title of a story can have a deeper meaning than the words on the paper. The title Killings represents flesh and soul. The story Killings is written by Andre Dubus. In the story Killings some may think the author is referring to the deaths of Strout and Frank, but he is actually referring to the death of Matt’s mental health and self-respect. Matt has undergone an emotional change in his life that left him angry and sorrowful. This change has occurred after traumatic events in Matt’s life.

Matt Fowler was viewed in his community as a man of higher importance who managed the branch office at the town bank. He and his wife Ruth have been married for thirty-one years; they have two sons, Steve and Frank. Matt was a proud, fearful and protective

Frank and Mary Ann had started dating shortly after Richard and Mary had split, but they were not divorced yet. Richard was twenty-six years old and was very upset that he and his wife had separated. Mary Ann had two children with her ex husband Richard Strout. Frank and MaryAnn’s relationship was frowned upon by Ruth. Matt questioned it at first but then he discovered that his son really liked this woman and that he would support them in their relationship. Matt wished that Frank would help MaryAnn get over her divorce and be there for her kids. Richard saw Frank and MaryAnn getting close and he was irritated that his wife had moved on so quickly. Richard has his own idea on how to solve this issue “Strout came in the front door and shot Frank twice in the chest and once in the face with a 9 mm automatic” (4). Matt knew what had happened to Frank, he knew it was a result of MaryAnn’s relationship. Matt knew he had given Frank permission to date MaryAnn, Matt felt as though this was partially his fault because if he had told Frank he did not support them Frank might still be

Then he went to her, lay on his back, and pulled the sheet up to his throat.” (10). Ruth was curious as to what all had gone down but Matt was not giving her much information about the events that took place that night. She pleaded for Matt to tell her about what happened, “He started from the beginning, in the parking lot at the bar; but soon with his eyes closed and Ruth petting him, he spoke of Strout’s house: the order, the woman presence, the picture on the wall. “The way she was smiling.” he said” (10). Matt sorrowfully started to tell Ruth the events of the night, as he was explaining what happened she could tell this made him uncimfortable. Ruth listened and tried to comfort Matt by telling him “We can’t tell the other kids.” she said. “It will hurt them, thinking he got away. But we mustn’t” (10) Ruth held him and comforted