Analysis of The Intruder
A shocking coming of age lies at the heart of Andre Dubus' short story,"The Intruder." Kenneth wants to be loved by his sister as much as heloves her and through this desire, Dubus skillfully demonstrates how anactive imagination can be dangerous. Dubus makes us aware of Kenneth's love for his sister in the first lineof the story when Kenneth escapes to the woods to dream. We know thatKenneth loves two things, being in the woods, where he can dream, and also We also understand that their relationship was more than just sibling She was the most beautiful girl he knew. She was also the only person with whom, for his entire life, he had been perfectly at ease. He could be silent with her or he could say whatever occurred to him and he never had to think about it first to assure himself that it was not foolish or, worse, uninteresting" (Dubus 199). He is
He thinks of his rifle and saysto himself, "I'll throw it in the creek tomorrow, I never want to see itagain" (207). In conclusion, this story represents Kenneth's shocking coming of age. It is also important to note that when he hears the noise outside thefirst things he considers is "He's by the pines in front of Connie's room"(205). These last lines are significant because theyillustrate how Kenneth wishes he could change the past. He blames the gunand by throwing it in the river, he becomes the hero he could not become inreal life. It is clear that Kenneth seeks his sister's approval when we are told,"He believed that Connie thought he was exactly like her, that he wastalkative and well liked. This demonstrates how Connie did not feel the same wayabout Kenneth because she obviously did not tell him everything about her. This is clearly an example ofKenneth's active imagination, which triggers his need to defend his sister. with his sister and all that she does. The story represents how a young boy's desire to berecognized as something great is shattered by the brutal truth of reality,the intruder. Hefelt that he was deceiving her" (199). This line is important because itis part of the reason that Kenneth wants to protect his sister from theprowler. Dubus is not only establishing the love Kenneth feels for Connie, butalso the respect he has for her. He knew Connie would never understand that he was only tryingto protect her.
Common topics in this essay:
Intruder Kenneth,
,
Andre Dubus',
active imagination,
shocking coming age,
coming age,
story represents,
shocking coming,
woods dream,
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