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"The Curse" by Andre Dubus is about Mitchell Hayes, a forty-nine year old bartender who is witness to a rape. The
rape occurs right before closing when five bikers rape a young woman while holding Mitchell at bay. After the rape,
Mitchell is distraught over his decision of not making a stronger attempt to help the girl. Police, family and friends try
to comfort Mitchell by telling him he made the right decision. However, he continues to feel guilt and self-doubt over
whether or not he could have done more in order to prevent the rape from occurring.‘
The central idea is that man is responsible for defining his own sense of honor. A clear choice between right and
wrong does not always exist. The safest decision is not always the easiest to live with. What Dubus seems to be
commenting on is the transformation of man as he grows older. At an older age, you learn to accept things you
cannot change.
The main character is Mitchell. He is round and dynamic. He is round because the story revolves around him. His
thoughts and actions are crucial to the story and are described in great detail. He is dynamic because he changes
from a relatively carefree, self-assured man into an impetuous man who feels old and becomes consumed

Dubus uses all three methods of indirect characterization in describing Mitchell; he uses words, actions, and
thoughts. An example of his words is "I should have stopped it. I think I could have stopped it." An example of his
actions comes after the bikers had left the rape scene, "Then he picked up her sneakers from the floor and placed
them beside her and squatted near her face...." An example of his thoughts comes after the bikers leave, "He wanted
to speak to her and touch her, hold a hand or press her brow, but he could not."
with guilt. After witnessing the rape: "He did not know what it was like to be very old ... but he assumed it was like
this: fatigue beyond relieving by rest, by sleep."
The tone of "The Curse" is sad and complex. The most important element contributing to this tone is limited
omniscient point of view. By limiting the focus on Mitchell, passing any type of judgement on him becomes difficult.
Instead, the reader is able to focus on his emotions. The tone relates to the central idea because the situation is sad
and complex in that Mitchell will always struggle with the decision he made.
This is a very good story. The author is effective at creating a situation that is plausible. The most enjoyable part of
the story is the central idea. Dubus' writing style helps the reader explore the true experience and emotions
surrounding his character. By creating such a dynamic story around Mitchell, Dubus demands an emotional
response. An
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