Andre Dubus "Killings"

Taylor Ehrhart

Mrs. L Warne

English Comp. 1102

18 February 2014

Essay 1 – Final Draft

Andre Dubus’ short story Killings tells a riveting story of a father who has lost a son, and how he exacts what he believes to be vengeance upon his son’s killer. This piece, though not very lengthy, depicts characters through their memories, through their fears, and their very actions, in vibrant detail. Of all the characters portrayed in this piece, Mr. Matt Fowler has the most pivotal role. After hearing his wife’s concerns about seeing their son’s killer walking the streets, Matt decides to take action into his own hands.

Matt Fowler loses his son, Frank, to a man known by all of the family, one Richard Strout. Richard discovers Frank spending time with his recently divorced wife, Mary Ann, and her children. Richard takes matters into his own hands, killing Frank and blaming him for the divorce. Despite having killed Frank, Richard makes bail shortly after his arrest. After Ruth, Matt’s wife, tells Matt that she can’t stand seeing her son’s killer walk the streets freely, he is spurred into action. The opportunity for street justice is just too much for Matt to pass up.

Though I feel that Matt was wrong in his actions, I do know he believed what he did would make his and his wife’s lives easier and safer. When Matt confronts Richard at his home, he feels a sense of remorse. He sees pictures of Mary Ann and Richard’s children, and how neat and orderly the home is. After killing and burying Richard, Matt returns home to Ruth and tells her of his actions. Though she appears to be relieved, Matt does not. Initially, Matt believes that he has given his family peace of mind, but he finds himself deeply saddened shortly after picturing what kind of life his son, and his son’s killer, could have had (with their respective partners) had none of this happened. The reason why I identify with Matt the most is because I sympathize with his family’s...