Ashley Morgan and Melanie Stich
AP English Literature and Composition
Seminar Facilitation
“Killings” by Andre Dubus
“What creates dispair is the imagination, which insists on predicting millions of
moments, thousands of days, and so drains you that you cannot live the moment at
hand.”
Andre Dubus
Andre Dubus was born on August 11, 1936 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He
attended McNeese State College and after joining the Marine Corps, continued his
education at the Iowa Writer’s Workshop. Throughout his life he experienced many
tragedies that left him fearing for his loved ones’ safety. These similar feelings can be
seen through the depiction of his character Matt Fowler in his short story, “Killings,”
after his son is murdered. In 1986, Dubus suffered from a physical disability and
depression after a car accident left him confined to a wheelchair. After this tragedy,
however, his career began to take flight as he began to lecture at many universities, as his
stories became standard assignments in English departments across the country. He was
known for his writings in short fiction and novellas, and his awards included the
PEN/Malamud Award and NEA and McArthur Foundation Fellowships. After his death
in 1999, his short story “Killings” was adapted into the Academy Award nominated
movie, In the Bedroom.
“Killings” by Andre Dubus is about two families dealing with the ramifications of
love and murder. The order of the story is unique as it begins with the climax of the story
and proceeds with the events that led to its outcome. The beginning scene is set at the
funeral of twenty-one year old Frank Fowler, who was murdered by Richard Strout.
After Frank’s death, his family, including his protective father Matt Fowler, is left to deal
with the pain of loss and desire of revenge. It is a story that explores the emotions of
revenge and the consequences murder leaves on one’s mind. Matt Fowler experiences the
repercussions after he in turn murders Richard Strout in order to avenge his son’s death.
Although he believes the pain he suffers from the loss of his son will disappear, we learn
it only causes him to “shudder with a sob…in his silent heart” (101). Dubus leaves
readers to decide what we believe is “justice” and whether acting on your emotions is
justified in Matt Fowler’s case.
In our seminar, we will focus our discussion on the importance of in medias res in
the story, as well as how flashback, foreshadowing, conflict, and suspense tie “Killings”
together.
Terms:
 In medias res- A term used to describe the common strategy of beginning a story
in the middle of the action.
 Flashback- A narrated scene that marks a break in the narrative in order to inform
the reader about events that took place before the opening scene of a work.
 Conflict- The struggle within the plot between opposing forces.


Foreshadowing- The introduction early in a story of verbal and dramatic hints
that suggest what is to come later.
Suspense- The anxious anticipation of a reader as to the outcome of a story,
especially concerning the characters with whom sympathetic attachments are
formed.
Answer three of the following questions with intellectual responses. Make sure you
utilize quotes to enhance your reflections and to display your understanding of the text.
1. Throughout the text, Dubus utilizes the literary plot strategy, in media res. How
does the use of this technique affect the plot’s presentation and the audience’s
reaction?
2. Refer back to the quote: “…he saw Frank and Strout, their faces alive; he saw red
and yellow leaves falling on the earth, then snow: falling and freezing and falling;
and holding Ruth, his cheek touching her breast, he shuddered with a sob that he
kept silent in his heart” (101). Why does the author choose to end this short story
with the previous line? In killing Strout is Matt free from emotional baggage, or
did he add to it? How does Matt’s reaction differ from Ruth’s reaction regarding
the murder of Strout?
3. What is the significance of the author’s use of flashback and foreshadowing, and
how does it affect the development of the text?
4. The Bedford states, “…Dubus offers a powerful blend of intimate domestic life
and shocking violence” (89). How is this portrayed in “Killings?” Locate, cite,
and incorporate textual examples in your response.
5. When Matt is in Strout’s home he detects a distinct presence of a woman, and
throughout the remainder of the story this woman occupies his mind. Refer back
to the quote: “Then he thought: not was: is. Sleeping now she is his girl” (101).
How does this unknown woman affect Matt’s thoughts and actions throughout the
story?
6. In your opinion is the main conflict resolved, or is another created?
7. How does the reader’s attitude change toward Richard Strout in hearing him tell
his side of the story, and through the author’s description of his house and
background?
8. In your opinion, why was the story named “Killings” instead of the more
appropriate name “Killers,” seeing as there were two murders within the story?
9. Was Matt Fowler justified in murdering Richard Strout? Was he acting merely out
of retaliation?