Importance of Love in A Feast of Snakes A Feast of Snakes by Harry Crews depicts a violent, cruel, selfish, profane, crass and lustful society. Yet, somehow, love survives. And love, despite the unbearable pain it inflicts, turns out to be the only thing that really matters. Sheriff Buddy Matlow repeatedly insists to Lottie Mae that he loves her. But his is a scary, possessive love that must remain secret. Since Lottie Mae is black and Buddy is white, he warns her, "'You know, if you tell anyone I love you, I'll kill you'" (35). He rapes her by intimidating her with a snake, then callously says, "'Is it not a wonder of God what a serpent can do for love?'" (38). Buddy is so caught up in his feelings that he seems oblivious to how he is crushing her, and is stunned when she gets rid of his love in the only way she can: by killing him. Elfie's love for her husband, Joe Lon Mackey, is desperate and pathetic. He treats her abysmally. Her ugly teeth and sagging breasts repel him. It explodes...