At a simplistic level this provocative story by Andre Dubus suggests that, given the right circumstances, almost anyone could become a cold-blooded killer. On one hand we have Strout (aggressive, violent and possibly psychologically disturbed); on the other, Matt (a peaceful, model citizen). Matt’s wife suffers untold emotional pain as she regularly encounters Strout (their son’s murderer) while he walks around town on bail. Rather than wait for the trial, Matt and his redneck friend Willis make elaborate plans for a killing of their own. Themes: love/marriage, murder, grief, justice, revenge, morality.
An interesting aspect of the story is the role of Willis. One can understand, if not condone, what drove Strout (jealousy and/or “honor”) and Matt (revenge and/or closure) to murder. But what about Willis? Matt tells Willis that he carries a weapon hoping that Strout would create a “situation” that justified him using it. However, it seems highly unlikely that Matt would have taken the next step and made such careful plans for Strout’s killing without being encouraged and assisted by Willis. Willis professes an almost pathological hatred of Strout associated with something that happened with his boys. Tellingly, he then alludes to a woman who seven years earlier had received a relatively light sentence for murder, and whose “unknown accomplice” had gotten away.
The story also questions aspects of the American bail system. Despite Frank’s admission to the crime, his wealthy father is able to post bail. This causes great anguish to Matt’s family as he flaunts his (at least temporary) freedom and likely representation by an expensive attorney. When begging to save his life, Strout suggests that he’ll do twenty years. As it is, we have a highly biased (Matt’s) version of events. If the case had gone to trial, we would learn what really went on between Strout, his wife and Frank, and whether there were any other mitigating circumstances. Willis suggests that Strout will do five at most.
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