In Tobias Wolff's short story "Hunters in the Snow," three friends set out on a hunting trip in the snowy woods of rural Idaho. The story follows the men, Frank, Tub, and Kenny, as they navigate their relationships with each other and the harsh winter landscape.
Frank is the leader of the group, and he is eager to prove his worth as a hunter and a man. He is also struggling with financial problems and the weight of his responsibilities as a husband and father. Tub, on the other hand, is more laid-back and content to let Frank make the decisions. He is overweight and out of shape, and his lack of physical fitness causes him to fall behind the group as they trudge through the snow.
Kenny is the youngest and most innocent of the trio. He is excited about the hunting trip and views it as an opportunity to bond with his friends and prove himself as a man. However, as the day wears on and the men become increasingly cold and hungry, tensions begin to rise. Frank becomes increasingly short-tempered and berates Tub for his slow pace, while Kenny tries to mediate the conflict.
As the men continue to hunt, they come across a deer and Frank takes the shot. However, he misses and the deer escapes, leading to further tension between Frank and Tub. The men eventually come across a cabin in the woods and decide to take shelter for the night.
Inside the cabin, the men find an old man who has been living there alone. The old man shares his food and stories with the hunters, and the men begin to see each other in a different light. They realize that they all have their own problems and insecurities, and they begin to bond over their shared experiences.
However, the sense of camaraderie is short-lived as Frank discovers that the old man has been hoarding food and supplies that could have helped them survive the winter. Enraged, Frank takes the supplies and leaves the old man behind, despite Kenny's protests.
As the men continue their journey back home, they come across the deer that Frank had shot earlier. It has been severely injured and is suffering, and Frank is faced with the decision of whether to put the animal out of its misery or leave it to suffer. In the end, Frank decides to shoot the deer and end its suffering, showing a moment of compassion and understanding.
"Hunters in the Snow" is a poignant exploration of friendship, masculinity, and the harsh realities of life. It shows how the harshness of the natural world can bring out the best and worst in people, and how the bonds of friendship can be tested and strengthened by adversity.
