How does the physical description of the characters from Hunters in the Snowhelp the reader to understand them? How is Tub's obesity relevant to his...

Perception
goes a long way in understanding . The three friends have distinct
personalities and the reader is introduced to "Tub," with sandwiches and cookies
falling out of his pocket immediately recognizable as short and fat, just by his name and his
need to retrieve his beloved food from the sidewalk as if it is the most important thing he
needs to do. The description of Tub as "a beach ball with a hat on," such as Kenny
describes him, creates a vivid image of his appearance and gives the reader a comical, pitiful
impression which will endure throughout the story as Tub remains the subject of endless jokes.
His inability to understand his friends, particularly Kenny, will lead to tragic consequences.
Being fat is what defines Tub and everything he does revolves around it. When he finally admits
that there is nothing wrong with his glands and that he is fat because he overeats, he is almost
released from living a lie and the fact that he feels that Frank finally understands
him. 

There is something unreal about Kenny and the fact that he "looked
like a cartoon of a person laughing..." suggesting that everything he does is exaggerated,
such as a cartoon character is made comical by its overemphasized characteristics and actions.
When he shoots the dog, it seems so extreme to his friends who do not know that he has been
asked to shoot the dog because it is old and sick. This behavior leads Tub to misinterpret his
intentions as he is always - similar to a cartoon character- erratic and will do anything for a
laugh. This will cost him dearly when his friends ignore his needs and do not take him to
hospital.  

Frank is also, as his name suggests, a person who does not mince
his words although he does eventually stick up for Tub when Kenny mocks him. The description of
Frank's "hairy knuckles" invites the reader to think of him as a tough character and
his "heavy" wedding band, although subtle, hints at his unsatisfactory or at least
difficult marriage. He becomes a more like-able character when he shows sympathy for Tub and
shares his own problems.