The Terminal List

Reece’s terminal list is a motif that highlights The Dangers of Revenge and the Quest for Power. The list itself takes on a double meaning. It is a list of people whom he aims to “terminate” first, but it’s also his final, terminal act since he believes that he has “terminal” cancer and will die soon. In this way, everyone who is associated with the list is set for death.

Reece writes his list on a “sacred document,” his daughter Lucy’s crayon drawing. By writing the list on the back of this drawing, Reece can keep a reminder of her with him always. However, the drawing also reminds him that her death is because of his military career. At the end of the novel, Reece notes that Lucy’s drawing has “the perfect splendor of which only the young and innocent can capture” (383). In this way, Lucy’s side of the list represents the optimism of youth. Reece’s side has nothing but revenge and darkness. Lucy’s drawing is done with crayon, a semi-permanent medium. Reece writes the majority of his list in pencil, a medium that can be erased. This indicates that Reece realizes that he may need to change his plans at some point.