Themes and message

Violence and grief

In “To Keep the Faith” by Michael Becket, grief is linked to violence. Both Jean’s and Siobhan’s husbands died violently, and both were victims of the Troubles. Jean’s Protestant husband was killed by a bomb allegedly set up by the IRA. Siobhan’s husband, however, was killed during the Bloody Sunday massacre (p. 121, ll. 29-30). This points to how violence and grief existed on both sides during the Troubles. 

The news of her husband’s passing twists not only Jean’s mind, but also the entire world around her (p. 118, ll. 12-13). Religion cannot comfort her, and she doubts William’s pacifist convictions regarding the Troubles (p. 120, ll. 20-21). Also, Jean rejects Siobhan because she sees her as part of an enemy group which is responsible for her husband’s death. Billy’s grief also expresses itself in anger at William’s murderers, which quickly becomes directed at the entire gr...