I've yet to see anyone suggest it, but it came to me after the 20th time I viewed this film (one of my favorite):
Karl is protecting Frank's innocence because he believes Frank will eventually kill Doyle. Please share your thoughts!
Absolutely.
I too am surprised that this wasn't discussed before.
Karl certainly foresaw that possibility.
Ephemeron.
I've only seen it twice (where WAS that film all these 20 years that I had not heard of it?). What a brilliant movie.
My partner feels that not only did Karl want to protect Frank and his down-trodden mother but that (and I agree here), he could simply not face the big wide world. He was an oddball of sorts and didn't feel he fitted in anywhere. He was a drifter and only felt like he belonged in the institution. Life was much simpler for him there - he didn't have to worry about having a bed to sleep in and where his next meal was coming from.
It seemed a lot of people hated Doyle and I agree that when Frank grew up he may have taken matters into his own hands. Interesting take and something I hadn't considered in any depth until you mentioned it. Basically the outcome would have ideally suited all concerned.
"These days you have to boil someone before you can sleep with them"
I hadn't thought of that but I think you've got something there.
shareKarl was insuring that the boy 's life wasn't sullied by the cowardly bully and his needy mother poor choices. So that he had a chance at a decent life.
shareyour explanation is the best
shareDoyle had indicated after his drunken jam session with the boys that if Linda tried to leave he'd kill her. So after that wonderful evening Karl's thoughts are leaning toward getting rid of this despicable redneck. Karl probably thought Linda would not take him back but she did so now it's time to seal the deal. It was good that Doyle spoke to both Frank and Karl at the same time so Karl could see the threats. When he goes to see Frank after learning that Doyle will be moving in permanently, Frank is so upset at that bastard that he wants to kill him himself. So that could explain why Karl does it for him. Karl was like a father to Frank....a boy your age shouldn't talk like that, you ought not to use words like that, you're just a boy. I love you boy.
The scariest part of Doyle to me is when he makes these vicious threats to Linda, Frank and Karl and then apologizes that he was only kidding. I can see him killing Linda and then apologizing to Frank.