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Chapter 3
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Dry, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Human Cost of Climate Change
Justice
Urban vs. Rural
Friendship
Summary
Analysis
The next morning, Falk goes to visit Luke’s farm, where police tape still hangs near the door. The farm looks similar to how Falk remembered it being when Gerry and Barb still owned it. After thinking over Gerry’s words the previous night, Falk decided to stay in Kiewarra for another day or two. In the distance, he sees Ellie’s old house and wonders if her cousins and father still live there.
Although Falk stays in Kiewarra because of Gerry’s request, he seems to be drawn back to his hometown for reasons that go beyond duty or obligation. Falk’s investigation of Luke’s murder is also a way for Falk to reckon with his own past and the place where he grew up.
Themes
Falk wanders around the property until he finds Sergeant Raco in front of one of the barns. Falk introduces himself, and Raco says Gerry already mentioned Falk would be stopping by. Raco seems tense about Falk’s potential interference, but Falk assures him he’s only there as a family friend. Raco just asks that if Falk finds anything important, he let Raco know. Falk tells him Barb’s theory about a money lender being involved. Falk himself thinks money problems are likely from what he can tell, but that doesn’t mean Luke is innocent.
Sergeant Raco is new in town, so he doesn’t have the same suspicions about Falk that some of the other people in town have. However, he also doesn’t like the prospect of Falk interrupting his investigation. On both ends, their relationship begins with caution, perhaps reflecting the distrust of outsiders in a small town.
Themes
Sergeant Raco asks Falk if there’s a hiding place Luke might use if he wanted to stash something small. Falk knows exactly where to check, and he goes to a loose floor panel under which Luke used to hide junk food and later booze. Raco checks out the spot and finds nothing except and old pack of cigarettes and a softcore porn magazine. Falk checks too and comes up with nothing. He asks Raco what he’s looking for, and finally Raco admits that he’s looking for the shotgun shells that killed Karen and Billy. Apparently, the three shots that killed Luke and his family were all Remingtons, but all the ammo on the farm is Winchester.
The differing brands of shotgun shells provide the first clue that Luke might not be the killer after all. The fact that Luke always used the same brand suggests that he valued consistency. Additionally, the fact that Falk went into Luke’s hiding place and only discovered cigarettes and a pornography magazine suggests that perhaps Luke’s secrets are no worse than the average person’s—once again, the book hints that Luke may not be the murderer.
Themes
Falk asks Sergeant Raco why the city of Clyde hasn’t sent anyone to help him search. He realizes Raco must be looking around off duty. Raco says he even looked in the trash and found no sign of a Remington box. Falk asks Raco what else he’s found to make him suspicious, and at last Raco admits that something else is bothering him.
By this point, Falk has finally realized that Raco isn’t a rival or an obstacle but in fact someone with the same goals who is also investigating the case as a relative outsider. Raco’s reluctance to call in the cops from the larger town hints at how carrying out justice involves negotiating bureaucracy.
Themes
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