Hunters in the Snow

Tub is the protagonist, and his point of view shapes the narrative. As his name suggests, Tub is overweight and slow, and the subject of much ridicule and ostracization from Frank and Kenny. Although Tub is the protagonist and a sympathetic character, he lacks the more admirable traits of courage, drive, leadership, and empathy that are often found in a main character. He lacks the maturity expected of an adult man as well as the confidence to stand up for himself. He accepts the toxic dynamic within the friendship group.

Tub feels shame, not because he is overweight but because he lies to his friends about his overeating. He pretends to be on a diet and blames his weight on a problem with his “glands” rather than admitting to overeating (22). Tub is glum and sulky throughout the hunting trip, but when he believes Kenny is going to shoot him, he shows a capacity for self-preservation by shooting Kenny first. Unlike Kenny, Tub’s actions are not vitriolic but reactive. Though Tub is distressed by his actions, he gains confidence and even takes charge of the situation, suggesting “we’d better call an ambulance” (27).