Katherine Barlow’s story is always a myth in the West. She is once a school teacher but turns into a famous outlaw later on. And so begins the events that have transformed Kate Barlow.
By nature, Katherine Barlow is a kind sweetheart in Green Lake, where there is a vast lake and peach trees are well grown. She is a wonderful teacher, full of knowledge and full of life. The children love her. Besides, she teaches adults at night. A lot of men in town are not educated, but it doesn’t bother Kate Barlow. She knows they have spent most of their lives working on farms and ranches and do not have much schooling. That is why she is there to teach them. And she always shows her kindness to a donkey, Mary Lou. While feeding Mary Lou, Katherine strokes its black hair. This kind-hearted lady becomes the beloved fellow of the townspeople.
Undoubtedly, everybody has a love for beauty. One of the reasons why Katherine Barlow is lovable is that she has an attractive and pretty face. The young men attend her classes just because of her beauty. They are interested in the teacher rather than education. Moreover, the son of the town’s richest man, Trout Walker, also has a crush on her. She is from head to toe a gorgeous woman with a heart of gold. No wonder she is so popular in the town.
Nonetheless, Katherine has a strong personality. She is a bold and straight-forward person. This makes her get into trouble at the same time. Once, Trout Walker, who is the influential and powerful man in the town, asks her out to ride on his new boat. However, Katherine Barlow declines his invitation directly. When Trout Walker points a hateful finger at her and says,” No one ever says no to Charles Walker,” Katherine just responses coldly,” I believe I just did.” Though Charles Walker sounds threatening, Katherine Barlow has not flinched for a moment. She insists on her own way and will not submit to Charles Walker. She expresses herself just the way she is. Another incident is also good evidence of her fearlessness. Since Katherine Barlow has her own set of values, she has the courage to love a black man called Sam. The custom at that time forbade the white from developing a romantic relationship with the black. Katherine Barlow is actually risking herself against the rule. Even so, she is not afraid of the judgment and kisses Sam to show her bravery. This causes the discontent of the townspeople and provides the opportunity for Charles Walker to take revenge. Eventually, Sam is killed by Charles Walker. Katherine Barlow almost loses her mind. Since then, she has become resentful and violent.
The death of Sam changes Katherine’s life accidentally. She is so devastated that her character is changed drastically.
She kills the sheriff, who humiliates her instead of helping her to stop the mob. Moreover, she has robbed many people including Stanley’s great grandfather. She is notorious for her brutality. Stanley’s great grandfather loses all his property just because of her.
Katherine’s life is regarded as an extreme case. Her miserable love story exposes the evil of racism in America. She is characterized as a tragic figure in Holes.