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Andre Dubus Techniques

Decent Essays

Andre Dubus’ use of disordered chronology allows readers to feel sympathy towards each character differently. Dubus’ style of writing the events out of order also contributes to the way the characters are portrayed as the story progresses. The development of the characters is shown through a different perspective using flashbacks and backstories as well. The interpretation of “Killings” is based up on how the reader responds to Dubus’ use of disordered chronology, flashback, backstory, and the somewhat of a resolution at the end with the conversation between Matt and Ruth. Dubus uses the mixed up chronology from the very beginning of the story. By starting off the story at the setting of the funeral by saying, “On the August morning …show more content…

The background written on Richard Strout gives the reader an idea of where Richard came from and what he’s been through over the years. For example, people who have ever had any interaction with Stout are described as having multiple images of him, “the high school running back, the young drunk in bars, the oblivious hard-hatted young man eating his lunch at a counter, the bartender who could perhaps be called courteous but not more than that.” (64) These images of Strout aren’t very surprising and give somewhat of an understanding towards why he is the way he is at the time of the murder. On the other hand, the background on Strout has a slight sympathetic tone, although not one significant enough to justify the reason he murdered Frank. One notable flashback was the scene illustrating the moment Richard shot Frank. Dubus places this description right in the middle of the story with no warning, writing, “Richard Strout shot Frank in front of the boys. They were sitting on the living room floor…Frank sitting on the couch, and Mary Ann just returning from the kitchen with a tray of sandwiches.” (67) The scene here is portrayed very innocently, making any sympathy felt for Richard from the background disappear. Richard’s character is automatically negative after this moment. The murder description is also important because it is another justification that could be used for Matt’s

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