Let's examine the short story “Killings” by André Dubus. The story begins on a hot August day with the funeral of Frank, the youngest son of Matt and Ruth Fowler. Frank was only twenty-one years old: “twenty-one years, eight months and four days” (Dubus, “Killings” 107). Matt, his wife Ruth, their eldest son Steve, his wife, their second daughter Cathleen and her husband were present at the funeral. Frank was buried in a cemetery on a hill in Massachusetts overlooking the Merrimack. Across the street from the cemetery is an “apple orchard with symmetrically planted trees running up a hill” (107), a symbol of the beauty and serenity of the cemetery and the peace that Frank now enjoys. Matt's family is extremely upset by the murder of their youngest son/brother, to the point of saying that they would like to kill the killer themselves: "I should kill him" (107), eldest son Steve said, as he walked from the grave. alongside his father Matt. This comment is seen as a preview of what is to come in the family members' thought process. Ruth Fowler is Matt's wife of many years and the mother of Matt's three children: Steve, Cathleen and Frank, now murdered. Ruth cannot come to terms with Frank's death and is haunted at all times of the day, whether at home or out on the town shopping and running errands: "She was at Sunnyhurst today buying some cigarettes and aspirin, and there he was. She can't even go out to buy cigarettes and aspirin. It kills her” (108). This quote is symbolism of his mental state. The anguish of seeing her son's killer walking free on the street is more than Ruth can mentally comprehend. Ruth continually puts emotional pressure on her husband with comments and hints as to why the killer is still...... middle of paper ...... ally wants to kill Richard Strout: however, he had to protect his family and avenge his son's murder. Richard Strout was taken outside of Boston by Mat and Willis in late fall as the leaves were beginning to change color. He shot Richard and buried him in a shallow grave. Matt returned home to Ruth; clean up before joining her in bed. Ruth knew what had happened: “Did you do it? (118), “Are you okay?” (119). Matt knew the shallow grave would become covered with the arrival of winter. The definition of revenge: “punishing someone who has harmed you or a friend” (Revenge, web). Works Cited Dubus, Andre. “Murders.” In Bedford's Introduction to Literature. Ed. Michael Meyer. 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2008. 107-119. Print.Revenge: Encarta Dictionary Online, English (North America), web. March 22. 2010.