Andre Dubus IIIs House of Sand and Fog Essay -- Andre Dubus III House

Andre Dubus IIIs House of common sense and Fog House of Sand and Fog, by Andre Dubus III, explores the catastrophic repercussions of a complex misunderstanding between third characters. The conflict initially involves a dispute between Kathy Nicolo and Massoud Behrani over the rightful(prenominal) ownership of a house. The county wrongfully evicts Kathy and Behrani then buys her house at an auction. When representative Sheriff Lester Burdon enters the situation, events rapidly slip out of control. Superficially, Lesters character is important to the apologue because he acts as a catalyst, propelling the plot into unexpected action. just Lester impacts the novel in a more profound way, because were it non for his risk and selfishness, the rest of the characters could have been spared an avoidable tragedy. Lesters commitment to help Kathy at all costs undeniably alters the outcome of the novel. By providing her with money for a motel, and later with shelter at a fri ends cabin, he allows her to continue avoiding the reality of the situation. If Lester had never met Kathy, she would have been forced to be direct with her lawyer. Instead, Kathy tells herself there a limit to how much her lawyer wants to help, and continues to tell Connie Walsh that she is staying with friends (88). Knowing the austereness of Kathys plight could have prompted Connie Walsh to more ardently pursue the county on Kathys behalf. Because of Lester, however, the truth is kept from the lawyer. Additionally, although proclaiming his love for her, Lester becomes a negative function on Kathy. Under the false sense of security he provides, Kathy, a recovering alcoholic, allows herself to start drinking again after an abstinence of triad ye... ...observes the situation as merely a problem that requires a quick fix, and he sets about fixing the situation instead of fulfilling Kathys aflame needs. In the tradition of a Greek tragedy, Lesters insecurity i s his hamartia, his tragical flaw. His egocentrism stems from this, causing him to overlook the needs of others in his quest for self-justification. This is not to say that the awful outcome of the novel can be attributed to Lester alone. alone three main characters fail to understand one another and quicken to false assumptions based on cultural differences. But the fatalities of the scenario can be traced back to the overreactions of Lester. In the form of Lester Burdon, Dubus imbues his story with a potent monition against dishonestly with oneself. Only when a man truly understands himself and accepts his flaws can he attempt to overcome them.