Themes

By far the most important theme in the story is alienation and its dangerous consequences to the individual who feels estranged from the surrounding group, becoming vulnerable to the point of paranoia and self-destructive behavior.

The oddly-behaving Swede, one of three strangers in town (the others being the Easterner and the cowboy), is such a person. However, only he feels so different from the others around him that he fears for his life; in fact he continues to draw unfavorable attention to himself by his emotional instability.

Another theme concerns honesty or lack of it, in one's dealings with others.

Crane reveals the town's curious double standard when judging the acceptability of an individual's behavior. A professional gambler in Fort Romper, though a recognized "thieving card player," is considered to be the type of person labeled "square." He is described as generous, just, and a moral family man...