‘Killings’ & ‘In the Bedroom’ by Andre Dubus

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Table of Contents

Author’s Introduction
Author’s Personal Life and tragedy
Introduction to the Book
The Feature Film
The Plot
The Aftermath
Cry for Justice
Important Fact
Conclusion
Works Cited

Author’s Introduction

Andre Dubus, born August 1936, was the oldest child of a Cajun – Irish Family, residing in Lake Charles – California. Andre Dubus is the author of the short story “Killings” published in the year 1979; this short story was converted to a film in the year 2001 – a Todd Fields Direction.

Author’s Personal Life and tragedy

During his life, Andre Dubus was a victim of many personal tragedies. Firstly his sister was raped as a young woman and this instance resulted in the fact that Andre Dubus would carry a firearm to shoot if the case called for the defense. But this ended when in a drunken stupor he nearly shot a man outside a bar. Then he was a victim of a car crash that cost him the use of his legs.

It was to pay his medical bills that his friends encouraged and promoted a special literary benefit, where he got to coach young readers and published short stories and essays alike.

Introduction to the Book

Andre Dubus got his short story “Killings” published in the year 1979. This story depicts a normal family consisting of a wife Ruth Fowler, a husband Matt Fowler, and an 18-year-old son Frank (Meyer, 2001). The entire story revolves around this small family residing in the calm settings of Rockland – Maine.

The Feature Film

This short story was given a chance for a feature film in the year 2001 (Field, 2002). The feature, “In the Bedroom” won many Academy Awards and was nominated for countless others.

The Plot

The 18-Year-old son Frank Fowler falls in love with Natalie a young married woman

(Older than him, however), and they have a passionate affair and become lovers. However, Natalie’s husband Richard has a history of violence. And following a confrontation, Frank Fowler, Natalie’s young lover, and Matt and Ruth’s son is murdered by an estranged and violent husband. This thrust the incomplete Fowler family into throes of grief and agony.

The Aftermath

The trial following the murder of Frank Fowler and the ultimate conviction of Richard Strout occurs. However due to the lack of a witness and solid evidence the murderer is let out on bail and the jury is dismissed. The grief that shrouds the soul of Matt Fowler, takes on another form, that of anger and revenge. He then takes to carrying a firearm on his person, with the hope that Richard Strout offering just and an ounce of provocation allows him the chance to pull the trigger and kill the murderer of his only son.

Cry for Justice

When reopening the case does little to bring about justice, as the district attorney is unable to prove that Richard Strout is capable of cold-blooded murder. Due to the lack of a direct witness the murderer is let off on the charges of accidental manslaughter. These sordid facts lead Matt Fowler to believe that he is not going to be able to avenge his son’s death through the court and so he takes matters into his own hands and instigates a plan leading to the abduction and ultimate killing of Richard Strout.

Important Fact

The important fact here is that both the feature and the short story contain the same turn of events, the characters are the same, the names of the characters, the role-playing, even the cause for the murder which in this case was jealousy and the ultimate revenge plotted by the father of the victim, all of the important facts remain unchanged, Director Todd Fields has just taken the manuscript and has brought the expression of grief, parental love and passion to life and brings across the cruelty one human can bestow on another, just to for personal gain and jealousy.

Conclusion

From the above play by play, it is apparent that Andre Dubus’s personal life reflects on the themes of his writing as well. A personal family tragedy, a tendency toward self-preservation and taking steps to exert it, is clearly in sync with what his personal life was all about. A few of his other works include The Lieutenant, Dancing after hours, Separate Flights. Andre Dubus, died in the year 1999, following a heart attack.

Works Cited

Field, T. (Director). (2002). In the Bedroom [Motion Picture].

Meyer, M. (2001). The Bedford Introduction to Literature. Bedford/St. Martin’s.

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