Analysis

In an act of desperation, Tub lies about being on a diet. When Kenny inquires about his supposed diet (noticing Tub has not lost any weight but is eating diet type foods) Tub shoots back. “You think I like hard-boiled eggs?” Tub exclaims in defense. Here, Tub’s plan of deceit meets perhaps unpredicted consequences, however, as Frank sneeringly points out that Tub “hasn’t seen his own balls in ten years”, and the two jokesters have a good laugh over Tub’s predicament. Obviously Tub suffers from the constant want to appeal to others, and is willing to use whatever means necessary to be accepted. He fears others. Most likely stemming from the chronic mistreatment he receives from Frank and Kenny on the subject of his weight and ineptitude, Tub has developed a drive to reshape his image. It’s a form of defense, his yearning for love and approval, which has evolved over time in response to environmental factors of abuse. Continuing the act, Tub declares his “glands” are responsible for his physical deformity. And likewise, the two so called friends “double over laughing”. Tub tries to validate his deceit by implying that he has lost weight. “You’re just wasting away before my very eyes”, Kenny sarcastically replies. Indeed, Tub has a problem. Tub lies in a vain attempt at acceptance, but his deficit remains purely the result of Kenny and Frank’s emotional terrorism. While the latter aspect of Wolff’s characterization may present Tub under a film of helplessness, the former no less represents a flaw within Tub. That one should succumb to the wiles of human indecency and emotional terrorism is understandable but not excusable.