Narrator and point of view

The short story “To Keep the Faith” by Michael Becket is told by a third-person narrator who follows the perspective of Jean, the main character.

The narrator has access to Jean’s thoughts and feelings, and they are generally presented directly in the text. At the cemetery, she feels an overwhelming hopelessness: “Hopelessness flooded over her, drowning her face, her veil and the earth beneath, with fierce tears.” (p. 121, ll. 12-14). Siobhan’s presence brings about some comfort which allows Jean to cry more quietly: “Easier tears came then. A softer weeping” (p. 121, l. 19). We also know she feels lonely “in the overcrowded front room” (p. 121, l. 22) after the funeral. Jean’s change of perspective is also directly presented: “ ‘William said that, too.’ Jean glanced at his photograph, and in the quiet places of her mind she felt a small purpose stir.” (p. 122, ll. 6-7). Here, the narrator also hints that Jean is willing to attempt bridging the gap between Protestants and Catholics, in her husband’s memory.

As the story is told entirely from Jean’s point of view, the narrator has limited knowledge. For instance, we only learn that Siobhan’s husband was murdered in Derry when Billy tells Jean about it (p. 121, ll. 29-33).

Given that the narrator presents Jean’s thoughts and feelings, we can say that the narrator is subjective. For instance, the trauma caused by her husband’s death leads Jean to feel hate towards her friend Siobhan and reject her company (p. 120, ll. 18-21). However, as this reaction is natural and believable so soon after her husband’s sudden violent death, it does not make the narrator less reliable. Moreover, the narrator’s perspective widens towards the end of the story, highlighting Jean’s growth as a character (p. 122, ll. 30-35). 

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