100 pages • 3 hours read
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
The moral implications around the idea of revenge can be sticky and unclear. Some might argue that revenge is simply a type of justice, while others might argue that justice is fueled by logic and vengeance is emotionally driven. In the case of Elatsoe, Little Badger explores the complicated relationship between justice and vengeance by highlighting the relationship between Ellie’s investigation and the actions of Trevor’s ghost.
When Ellie learns that Trevor has died and there might have been foul play, she becomes hyperfocused on ensuring that Trevor’s murderer faces justice. She hopes that “it happen[s] through a police investigation that led to an arrest that resulted in a successful trial by jury and a murder conviction” (50), but she also recognizes that the American justice system is deeply flawed. Ellie knows that the likelihood of someone like Abe Allerton facing actual consequences for his crime is low because he is well-connected and privileged. She decides to launch her own investigation to bring justice to her cousin’s murderer.
Trevor’s widow, however, wants to take a different approach. Lenore tries to purposely disturb Trevor’s grave because she “wants him to come back for vengeance” (266). Rather than running the risk of the justice system failing her family and letting her husband’s murderer get off scot-free, Lenore decides to take a bigger risk: wake up Trevor’s ghost, and let it do the dirty work.
Plus, gain access to 8,500+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
Action & Adventure
View Collection
Books on Justice & Injustice
View Collection
Family
View Collection
Grief
View Collection
Indigenous People's Literature
View Collection
LGBTQ Literature
View Collection
Magical Realism
View Collection
Popular Book Club Picks
View Collection
Religion & Spirituality
View Collection
Revenge
View Collection
School Book List Titles
View Collection