Who Is The Protagonist In The Night Of The Hunter

The Night of the Hunter was a very suspenseful novel. At times, it was very dark and you get a real sense of how bleak life must have been during the Great Depression. People were desperate for money for food, shelter and clothing and that desperation often led to crime and sometimes death. The harsh times set the perfect backdrop for serial killer Harry “Preacher” Powell to take advantage and murder twenty-five widows. These ladies were so poor and looking for a good man to support them and provide for their children. They never suspected a thing when the “good” preacher offered to help them out and eventually stole all they had and left behind their cold, dead bodies. John, Willa and Ben Harper’s son, was only nine years old when his young life would be changed forever. John was growing up during the great depression, and though poor, it seems he was well cared for and loved, especially by his father. John’s father was so desperate to give his children the best in life that he went and robbed a bank and subsequently murdered two men. John makes a promise to his father to never tell where the money is hidden and to care for his little sister Pearl. John protected the secret and his sister throughout the whole book.

She thinks they have grace to deal with life’s horrors. They may cry when a favorite toy breaks, but have amazing courage when faced with the death of a loved one. Little children need security and love, especially from mother figures, but they can move on and fend for themselves if that love is taken away. Rachel states that “The wind blows and the rain cold. Yet, they abide.” She thinks children are the strongest among us. I think Rachel was a very wise woman. Children do have the ability to cope with life better than adults. Their hearts are tender and they accept changes and traumatic experiences because they know they have no control over it, being so little. They can forget and move