"Hunters in the Snow" by Tobias Wolf

" 'That's the worst part of it: the lying. Having to lead a double life like a spy or a hit man. This sounds strange but I feel sorry for those guys, I really do. I know what they go through. Always having to think about what you say and do. Always feeling like people are watching you, trying to catch you at something. Never able to just be yourself" (page 200).

I chose this quote because it not only describes the character of Tub very well, but it also describes society. Tub kind of embodies the average person in society. He has a huge a heart, but he gets annoyed with people very easily. He acts on impulses instead of thinking out his actions before he does them. He also is very secretive about his life and lies to hide his flaws. However, all of this gets the best of him after awhile, and he comes clean. I feel that Tub was incorporated into the story for a reason. All three of the characters have meaning to add to the story, but I have yet to find out what those meanings are. After reading the story, i was kind of disappointed that all of the story led of to a state of vagueness. Did Kenny turn out alright? Did Tub eventually lose the weight? Did Frank end of getting with the babysitter? Nothing is clarified. I feel that Frank is the most sympathetic out of all of the characters because he understands why Tub shot Kenny. Frank is concerned that they get Kenny to the hospital. Finally, once Tub comes clean about being obsessed with food, Frank buys him a full meal and makes sure that Tub eats without any insecurities and eats until he is full. Frank never chastises Tub in the story, although he probably should. He does not chastise Tub for shooting Kenny. He even allows Tub to eat instead of encouraging him to be healthy. Frank knows that Tub eats because food is what he lives for. Frank respects that, and maybe Frank allows Tub to eat because Frank called Tub fat. Whatever the case, Frank is the most sympathetic out of all of the characters.