Sympathy in the Snow

The character in Hunters in the Snow the character that is the most sympathetic is Tub. From the beginning, he is the one who the other two ridicule for holding them back. Then he proceeds to make little mistakes, like missing the deer and forgetting the directions. Then, of course, there is the shooting of Kenny. Because it is made clear that Tub did it in what he saw as self-defense, little blame is really put on Tub. Then, when Frank gives him a hard time about his diet and how fat he is, the reader can't help but feel sympathy for him. The least sympathetic, ironically, is Kenny. We really don't learn much about him and his personal struggles. All we really see is his emotional breakdown about the deer, so we don't know enough about him to have a real connection with his character. Against all odds, I felt sympathy for Frank in the fact that he really did feel bad about being so mean to Tub about his weight. This sympathy is increased with is reaction to Tub's admittance that he really doesn't have a gland problem. Frank is surprisingly understanding. The name Tub does play a part in the reader's feelings toward him. By being called Tub, one understands that it is a ritualistic thing for the other two to make fun of him for his weight.