Character Analysis: Wallace Stringfellow in Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter
Wallace Stringfellow emerges as one of the most complex and disturbing characters in Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter. A white male from an impoverished background, Stringfellow's character arc reveals the dark psychological elements that drive the novel's central mysteries. His interests in snakes, dogs, firearms, and substance abuse paint a picture of a troubled individual whose violent tendencies ultimately lead to tragic consequences.
Definition: A copycat murder occurs when a criminal deliberately imitates another crime or criminal they admire.
The relationship between Stringfellow and Larry Ott forms a crucial element of the narrative. Stringfellow deliberately seeks out Larry's friendship, offering companionship to someone who has lived in isolation for years. However, this seemingly benevolent action masks Stringfellow's true motives - he is morbidly fascinated by Larry's alleged criminal past, particularly the disappearance of Cindy Walker. This fascination eventually transforms into a dangerous form of hero worship.
Stringfellow's psychological deterioration culminates in the murder of Tina Rutherford, which he commits as a copycat crime to emulate what he believes Larry did to Cindy Walker. His justification for violence against women reveals deeply disturbed thinking patterns. When Larry ultimately rejects his friendship, Stringfellow responds with violence, shooting Larry in an act of desperate retribution.