Killings

Frank is Matt’s youngest son, who was killed by Richard Strout at the age of twenty-one. He was handsome and muscular, with pleasantly sun-kissed skin. The narrator specifically mentions that Frank was six feet tall—an inch taller than Matt. Frank was having an affair with Mary Ann Strout. Based on his tolerant and non-violent reaction to Richard Strout’s first beating, the reader can surmise that Frank did not possess a particularly pugilistic or hypermasculine temperament. He is not described in great detail, beyond his death serving as the impetus for Matt’s actions. He therefore becomes an archetype of youthful masculinity: a young man in his sexual prime who was cut down before he could become anything else. In this sense, he is also a perfect foil to his father’s character. Matt Fowler is well past his prime. Matt is a responsible, law-abiding, dutiful father and husband—far removed from the youth, vitality, and impulsivity that characterizes his youngest son. 

Richard Strout is Frank Fowler’s murderer, and, ultimately, Matt Fowler’s murder victim. He is twenty-six years old, and a former star athlete. He attended University of Massachusetts on a football scholarship, but only lasted two semesters before quitting due to his failing grades. He then came home and worked for his father’s construction company. Unlike his brothers, however, he refused to learn the business and became a bartender instead.He is partially financially supported by his father. He “could be called courteous but not more than that: as he tended bar, his dark eyes and dark, wide-jawed face appeared less sullen, near blank” (50). Richard Strout, like Frank, is foiled against Matt Fowler. Richard, however, is clearly past his prime, although he still possesses a virility and masculinity that foils Matt’s bland and aged resignation.

After learning of Mary Ann’s love affair with Frank Fowler, Richard first shows up at his former home to beat up Frank, and then returns on a later day to fatally shoot him. He ultimately feels justified in doing so, as Mary Ann had taken up with Frank while her divorce with Richard was not yet finalized. He uses this to try to plead his case as he is being cornered and about to be murdered by Matt Fowler. 

Mary Ann Strout is Richard Strout’s ex-wife. She was romantically involved with Frank Fowler before Richard Strout murdered him. She has two young sons by Richard. She is described as having tanned skin, long and light brown hair, and long brown legs. She is very attractive, and Matt Fowler notes that she “had probably never in her adult life gone unnoticed into a public place” (53). Her reputation for being promiscuous, her pending divorce and two children, and the age difference between herself and Frank are all factors that cause Ruth and Frank Fowler consternation. Narratively, Mary Ann serves the prototypical role of the temptress and saboteur of men. This is, perhaps, why her characterization is thin enough to border on caricature.

Ruth is Matt’s wife. She is mostly passive throughout the story. She is described as exhausted and full of grief at Frank’s funeral. Seeing Richard, her son’s murderer, around town is a cause of great distress for her. It is her grief and distress that Frank repeatedly cites as a motive for his murder of Richard Strout. She knows of Matt’s premeditated plans to murder Richard Strout—down to the night in which he executes it. She gives her tacit approval by staying silent during the planning stagesbut is openly questioning Matt about the murder when he returns, fresh from it. She is the one who explicitly decides that she and Matt must lie to their other children about the murder, and that they must merely think that Richard skipped bail. Narratively, Ruth functions as Matt’s obligation, and the name he invokes in order to justify his crime, although she clearly does not provide the entirety of Matt’s motivations. 

Willis Trottier is Matt Fowler’s friend. He is a short, silver-haired man who is forty-eight years old. He owns a restaurant in town, and hosts poker nights at his home. He feeds Matt information about Richard, stating that he has seen Richard at his restaurant’s bar in the company of an unknown woman, and that Richard likes the band that plays regularly there. Throughout the story, he supports Matt and goads him into action. He and Matt plan Richard’s murder together, and he is Matt’s accomplice on the night that it occurs.

Steve is Matt’s older son. He is twenty-eight years oldand has thinning hair. He lives in Baltimore with his wife, where he manages a bank. He comes to Frank’s funeral and then quickly leaves town.