Killings is a short story by Andre Dubus that explores the theme of violence and its consequences. The story centers around the murder of a young man named Matt Fowler and the various characters who are affected by it.
The story begins with Matt's murder, which is committed by a man named Richard Strout. Strout is motivated by his belief that Matt had an affair with his wife, and so he kills him in a fit of jealousy and rage. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Strout's motivations are more complex than just jealousy. He is also driven by a sense of shame and a need to protect his family's reputation.
As the story unfolds, we see how Matt's murder affects the lives of the other characters. Matt's father, Frank, is devastated by the loss of his son and becomes consumed by grief and anger. He struggles to come to terms with the fact that his son has been taken from him, and he becomes obsessed with finding justice for Matt's murder.
Meanwhile, Matt's mother, Mary Ann, is also struggling to cope with her son's death. She becomes isolated and withdrawn, unable to process her grief and find a way to move on. The story also explores the impact of Matt's death on his girlfriend, Ruth, and her family. Ruth is left to cope with the loss of her boyfriend and the guilt of not being able to protect him.
As the story progresses, we see the various characters struggling to come to terms with their grief and the complex emotions that arise in the aftermath of Matt's murder. Dubus does an excellent job of exploring the different ways that violence can affect people and the different ways that people cope with loss and grief.
Overall, Killings is a powerful and thought-provoking story that explores the theme of violence and its consequences. Through its compelling characters and its poignant depiction of grief and loss, Dubus has created a story that is both emotionally moving and deeply thought-provoking.
