Suttree

Suttree is the titular protagonist of this novel. He is an intelligent and well-educated man who chooses life without permanent housing after getting out of prison. Suttree embraces radical self-sufficiency and autonomy by rejecting traditional standards of societal norms, such as jobs with institutions and cozy family life. Suttree maintains his humanity through compassion for others. He checks in with various companions across Knoxville, making sure they’re alive and have someone to listen to them. He spends his time fishing and walking through Knoxville, unsure of what the next day will bring. He sometimes gets too drunk with his friends and agonizes over his life. He finds himself drawn to churches but rejects religion and faith. Suttree is an imperfect protagonist. He is dismissive of women’s feelings, abandons his child, and bitterly resents life. Suttree’s imperfections make him an everyman character. He is relatable in his depression and his existential crises. He doesn’t try to hurt others and shows empathy to most people. Suttree finds little worth in himself and in his life. He struggles with mortality but knows he will not die by suicide; rather, he waits for death to find him. Suttree is on his own, but he’s not wholly alone until his friends begin dying, moving away, or returning to prison in the matter of a few weeks.