Lies of Silence
From ZuluNotes - Free Leaving Cert Notes
Leaving Certificate novel for pass english
Plot Summary
Set in Belfast, Lies of Silence deals with the moral dilemmas faced by Michael Dillon, a hotel manager who is drawn into the political conflict by the IRA. He must choose between helping the terrorists to bomb the hotel where he works or saving his wife, Moira, who is being held hostage by the gang to force him to comply with them.
The choice is complicated by the fact that the action takes place on the day Dillon plans to tell his wife he is leaving her to go to London to live with his girlfriend, Andrea, a researcher with the BBC. His decision has far reaching implications that play themselves out over the course of the novel, culminating in a horrific ending.
Relationships
Dillon and the IRA: Dillon first comes into contact with the IRA when they hold him at gunpoint in his own house one night. He feels angry and bitter towards them. When he meets the priest later on, he is disgusted and refuses to accept his offer not to inform. At the insistence of Andrea and for the sake of peace he decides not to inform. However, he makes this decision too late. The IRA shoot him at the conclusion of the novel.
Dillon and Andrea: They are very much in love. For a great deal of the novel, Dillon is divided between his loyalty to Andrea and protecting Moira from the IRA. In addition, their relationship suffers after the incident with the IRA. Dillon is clearly confused about whether to inform or not. This creates much tension between Dillon and Andrea. She is clearly in love with him and stands by him right through to the end and.
Dillon and Moira: Although Dillon is married to Moira, he is not in love with her. She realises this and is angry. Their already tense and strained relationship worsens when she discovers about his affair with Andrea. Moira reacts in a rebellious and aggressive manner when the IRA holds she and Michael hostage. On their release, Moira decides to give interviews to the media and exposes the IRA. She is hurt by the way she has been treated and in some way wants to gain her revenge on Dillon. Heroes, Heroines and Villains
Hero: Michael Dillon is from the middle class area of Belfast. He hopes to move to London. He is manager of the Clarence Hotel in Belfast. He is married to a woman called Moira although he is love with another woman. He shows courage in informing the police about the bomb in the car. However, he is an indecisive character.
Villain: The IRA is seen as a hostile and negative presence in the novel. Dillon and his wife are held to ransom by the IRA while they force him to plant a bomb in the car park outside the Clarence Hotel. Their representative is a priest who pleads with Michael to withhold information about one of the IRA men called Kev, his nephew. The IRA carry out their revenge on Dillon by shooting him because they fear that he will testify against Kev.
