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The Intruder AnalysisEssay

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In Andre Dubus's short story "The Intruder", Dubus tells a story of a young boy losing his innocence to protect his sister's, while struggling to find his place between boyhood and manhood. The young boy, who is named Kenneth, can be associated with many biblical allusions concerning the scenarios he is put in. In "The Intruder", Kenneth's relationship with Connie is being intruded on and he must protect it with his gun, the only symbol of manliness and power he has. In some ways, Kenneth can be portrayed as a Christ figure because of his sacrifice for his sister like Jesus did for the world. Kenneth can be seen as many things, but all he wants to be is a manly hero.

Even though he commits a sin, Kenneth does many things that can be …show more content…

Douglas does not find Kenneth threatening in any way - even when Kenneth shows him his gun: "Whatcha got there?". "Twenty-two." "Let's see." "Better dry it." He briskly wiped it with a dry cloth and handed it to Douglas. Quickly Douglas worked the bolt, aimed at the ceiling, and pulled the trigger. "Nice trigger," he said. He held in front of his waist and looked at it then gave it to Kenneth. (Dubus 223-224)
Douglas is accepted by the family and Kenneth is the only one left between Douglas and Connie, like David was the only one brave enough to fight Goliath. Kenneth can also be portrayed as Moses leading people to safety because he does with Connie when he kills the intruder. Kenneth's experience can also be compared to the story of Adam and Eve. "Another way of saying "loss of innocence," of couse is 'the Fall.' Adam and Eve, the garden, the serpent, the forbidden fruit. Every story about the loss of innocence is really about someone's private reenactment of the fall from grace". (Foster 49) Kenneth and Connie both loss some form of innocence in this story and their introduction to real death and violence is the forbidden fruit - Kenneth loses the most innocence because he commits a sin of murder. While defending against the intruder, Kenneth acts on what he thinks is right, just like the biblical characters

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