Realistic Emotions in Kansas

Realistic Emotions in "Kansas"

People experience many emotions throughout their everyday lives. No matter where we come from, or who we are, we all experience the same basic feelings of human emotion that carry us along the ups and downs of everyday life. It is safe to say that most of us have probably been in a situation where we have felt scared or worried, and maybe we even regret the way we handled that situation. This is the case in Stephen Dobyn's "Kansas". It is easy to relate to the protagonist in the story because he portrays very human characteristics and emotions. The reader can easily relate to how he feels and imagine what he is experiencing. The protagonist is a realistic and believable character because he shows fear, worry, and regret.

The protagonist shows fear, which demonstrates that he is realistic and believable, throughout the incident that occurs in Kansas. He is frightened by the farmer with the revolver by his side and his plans to kill the man and woman in the Plymouth coupe. The author mentions several times that the boy is afraid. Dobyns often repeats that the boy wants to reason with the farmer, but is too frightened to speak up. The author describes the boy as feeling "as soft as a piece of white bread"(87).

The protagonist's traits of worry unveil his realistic and believable character as soon as the incident is over. This is clear because he takes the time to check the newspapers twice a day. He also keeps his promise to the farmer and doesn't tell anyone, not even the police. He may feel

embarrassed that he didn't stop the farmer. Perhaps he is worried for his own life, as well as the lives of the man and woman in the Plymouth coupe. His concern enables the reader to relate to him, as well as understand how he feels.

Just as the protagonist shows fear and worry, he also shows regret for his inactions, which demonstrates that he is a realistic and believable character. Fear prevents him from speaking up to the farmer, and worry prevents him from going to the police. He tells his sons of the incident, which implies that he still thinks about it. This is the first hint in the story that suggests that he is regretful. And when he grows old and ill, the incident still haunts him on his deathbed. The author says, "always he was listening for something in the distance"(87).