Scored Discussion Questions
“Killings” – Andre Dubus
1.
What are some of the themes Dubus is working with here? Identify two, and go on to argue Dubus’ take on them (or “tone”), as suggested by the story he crafts. For example, if you identify marriage as a central theme, what can we infer about how Dubus regards aspects of married life? What does he “show” us about marriage without “telling”?
2.
Argue for Roth’s tone with respect to a specific character. How does he want us to “read” or see this character, and how does he accomplish this in his depiction?
3.
Why do you think Dubus called the story “Killings”? How does the title “fit” the story?