Loss In Andre Dubus's Killings
For hundreds of years, people have used art as a way of portraying strong emotions such as passion, lust and joy. One of the more powerful of these emotions is that of loss, which is often portrayed as a overwhelming and devastating feeling. Various forms of art have different ways of conveying emotions, whether it be through the use of melody in music, with colors in paintings or through the thoughts and actions of characters in literature. Several characters in Andre Dubus’ “Killings” clearly display their feelings of loss in the story through the way they are characterized and the varied reactions that they display each represent a different aspect of grief. The protagonist of the story, the grieving father, Matt, expresses his feelings …show more content…
One example of how Ruth’s sorrow is shown to the reader is early in the story when the narrator introduces her, saying “Ruth’s arm, linked with Matt’s tightened, he looked at her. Beneath her eyes there was swelling from the three days she had suffered” (111). This introduction to Ruth’s character is able to display her feelings of misery because of the fact that one of the first traits the reader learns about Ruth is that she had cried for three days after the loss of Frank, which informs the reader that Ruth’s most prominent trait in the story is going to be her misery and that all of her other traits are just secondary when compared to her suffering. Another example of how Ruth is affected by loss and suffering is shown the night of Richard’s murder when Matt reflects on how “he believed Ruth knew...When Ruth said good night she looked at his face, and he felt she could see in his eyes the gun, and the night he was going to” (116-117). The significance of this memory is that it shows the reader that Ruth is fully aware of the fact that Matt is preparing to kill Richard that night and that she is willing to let him commit murder because she let Matt lead her to think that it was morally acceptable to kill Richard so that they both can have relief from their overwhelming sorrows. Overall, that is how Ruth appears to be suffering through the stage of depression as seen through her thoughts and
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The Killings Andre Dubus Analysis
790 Words | 4 PagesAffairs affect people in different ways, but no one could imagine an affair destroying their ability to psychologically function. The “killings” by Andre Dubus is a shocking story about a killer named Richard who murders frank the man having an affair with his wife, who is his pride and joy. Riveted with murder and passion the author revels the characteristics of Richard Strout’s in the “killings” as a psychological obsessive and controlling person; these traits effect his emotions and behaviors throughout the story. Richards’s anger which evolves throughout the story, is what leads to his obsessive and controlling behaviors. The author explains Richards’s background as a young, striving man, who is overcome by failure, and this contributes
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Matt Folwer's Murder In Andre Dubus 'Killings'
1233 Words | 5 PagesThe Worst Crime: Matt’s or Richard’s “Killings”, written by Andre Dubus, illustrates how the death of a loved one may lead to dire consequences for all the parties included. Matt Fowler’s son, Frank, was murdered in cold blood by a jealous soon-to-be ex-husband, Richard Strout. When the death of Frank sunk into the lives of the Fowler’s, Matt believed he had to retaliate in some sort of fashion. The sort of fashion he chose was to seek revenge and kill Richard for his wrongdoings, which he did. Some people believe that the murder committed by Richard Strout can be considered more serious because of his act of passion and his lackadaisical style of living without worrying about his future.
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1141 Words | 5 Pages“Killings” written by Andre Dubus is focused on the main character and protagonist Matt Fowler. Matt is the father of three known children in the story, Cathleen, Steve, and his youngest, Frank. Matt had his children with his wife and business partner Ruth Fowler. In the beginning of the story Matt is laying his youngest son, Frank, to rest in the cemetery after he was brutally murdered by the story’s main antagonist, Richard Strout. At the time of his death, Frank was in school and majoring in economics (63) and had a very bright future ahead of him, after all, he was only twenty eight years old.
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306 Words | 2 PagesRuth griefed by riding her bike and playing the piano. Whenever she rose her bicycle, it drove James insane. James says “The piano I didn't mind, but the bicycle drove me crazy” (5) because it was a really antique bike. It had been around for years. She rode the bicycle as a way to remember him because Hunter rode it on the
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Revenge, Morality, And Justice In Killings By Andre Dubus
834 Words | 4 PagesAndre Dubus, short stories contain a common theme of revenge, morality, and justice. In “Killings” published in 1979, Andre displays the theme of revenge and justice through the development of characters, the title of the story, and the thrill of the suspense. Dubus neglects to take sides with the characters in the “Killings”, which leaves it upon the readers to make assumption whether the killings were justifiable. Dubus has a very unique style of writing, the main characters in “Killings” were given a choice that could’ve led them to a completely different outcome. Dubus keeps the readers on their toes because the opposite usually ends up happening.
Killings By Andre Dubus Analysis
1813 Words | 8 PagesFor hundreds of years, people have used art as a way of portraying strong emotions such as passion, lust and joy. One of the more powerful of these emotions is that of loss, which is often portrayed as a overwhelming and devastating feeling. Various forms of art have different ways of conveying emotions, whether it be through the use of melody in music, with colors in paintings or through the thoughts and actions of characters in literature. Several characters in Andre Dubus’ “Killings” clearly display their feelings of loss in the story through the way they are characterized and this highlights the devastating power that loss has on those who are forced to experience it. The protagonist of the story, the grieving father of Matt,
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Still Stands The House Analysis
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A Raisin In The Sun Conflict Between Ruth And Walter
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