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.