Themes and message

Revenge

Revenge is the main theme explored by James M. Reasoner in the short story “Graveyard Shift”. Frank, the main character, is a widower who wishes to avenge the death of his wife, Becky, who was killed during a robbery in a convenience store:

The same emotions that must have been on my wife Becky's face when she walked into a little store far away and surprised a man just like this one, a man who had gotten away clean, leaving my world bleeding to death on a dirty tile floor… (p. 83, ll. 24-27)

Frank’s purpose and motives are not revealed from the beginning. In fact, it is only at the end that readers find out about Frank’s plan. When the robber attempts to pull his gun on Frank, he takes him by surprise by shooting first. This is the moment when the theme of revenge becomes visible. He seems to be glad to see the robber afraid. The concept of revenge also brings Frank feelings of anticipation and excitement, which suggests that, on some level, he enjoys killing: “But as I looked at th...