Lies of Silence

Lies of Silence: Personal freedom is not viewed as important here. Throughout the text individuals are forced to do things by others that they do not wish to do, or others at least attempt to force them to do so, which is still indicative of a world where one’s personal freedom to choose what they wish to do is not valued. The IRA attempts to force Dillon to cooperate in the blowing up of the hotel he works, despite his obvious wishes not to – however he almost goes through with this, due to the threat to his life if he does not. However after this choice of personal freedom, others in the world around him attempt to make him submit to the will of the IRA, such as the parish priest. He attempts to convince Michael not to testify against a youth in the community who was one of those who held up Michael and his wife before attempting to use Michael to blow up the hotel. This is despite Michael’s wish to show the IRA he will not bow down and be controlled.

Playboy of the Western World: Personal freedom is accepted here, even if it involves such action as patricide (the killing a father). The Irish peasants view Christopher’s deed as necessary as it is steeped in mythical and preintellectual concepts – they even see it as admirable. This is added to by the fact that the violence occurred far aware and reaches them only by report of an intriguing visitor, so it exists for them only as a fantasy, not as a down-to-earth, blood deed: the murder is like another folktalke in which the hero gloriously kills all obstacles in his path, which contributes to their willingness to accept this personal freedom.

Social rituals

Lies of Silence: Here the ritual of self-isolation is prevalent. This is ritualistic of the world of the text, of Belfast, during the Troubles. In this world, when the IRA came into contact with individuals, many left Belfast, believing a life without the threat or control of the IRA, even away from their home, would always be more advantageous than