Frank from Hunters in the Snow by Tobias Wolff: Character Analysis

“Hunters in the Snow” Character Essay

"Hunters in the Snow" is a story about three friends who are conflicted due to their differing personalities. The men go hunting and as the story develops the reader learns significantly about each character and their problems. In the narrative, Frank is known as being a follower and has darker side filled with personal troubles.

Frank, one of the three men, is struggling with many issues. He is indecisive and confused about what he really wants.

In the narrative, Frank has a wife, a child, and also a strong attraction for his 15 year old babysitter. The affair leaves Frank with self-conflicting viewpoints on whether he loves his wife or babysitter more. In the text it states, “’I won’t say a word. Like I won’t say anything about a certain babysitter… ‘That’s confidential. You keep your mouth shut.’” This shows that Frank is bothered by his friends knowing about the affair and that he also has difficulties with handling it.

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Furthermore, Frank has problems with his two friends, Kenny and Tub.

Frank is stuck between his friends and constantly changes sides based on who he agrees with the most and who has his back. During parts of the story he sides with Kenny and had troubles with Tub because he believed that Frank betrayed him. Whenever he was told to do something he would be swayed by his friend and follow along. When Kenny would bully Tub about his weight Frank would do the same.

The author writes, “’Tub,” Frank said, “what happened back there… I just want you to know it wasn’t your fault. He was asking for it.’” This part of the story shows that Frank is “kissing up” to Tub and now wants to rebuild his relationship with him while he ditches Kenny. He is selfish because when Tub shot Kenny, they took their time getting to the hospital and Frank was not very concerned about Kenny and did not care if he lived or died.

Another way that Frank is struggling is that he indulges on younger girls and is forgetting about his family. He has a nice, big ring on his finger with an “F” on it which is for his name and it shows how he is more focused on himself. Frank is conceited and egocentric because he brags about himself and enjoys having an affair. Throughout the narrative, Frank never really talks about his wife Nancy but all of page ninety-six is about the relationship he has created with the babysitter, Roxanne, and how special she is. During this part Frank opens up a lot to Tub and during their conversation Kenny is injured and dying, relating to the paragraph above.

Frank is the middle guy in the group, the follower. He wants to be best friends with Tub and Kenny but is not able to be friends with them at the same time. The author developed Frank into being the character who is somewhat passive but cares about his friendships and being accepted. In general, he puts other down so he doesn’t feel bad about himself and his problems, he is selfish, and the character that is probably the most conflicted.