Death in Jerusalem by William Trevor
"Death in Jerusalem" by William Trevor explores the complex and strained relationship between two Irish brothers, Francis and Father Paul, against the backdrop of their mother's death while they are on holiday in Jerusalem. The story contrasts their differing lifestyles and perspectives; Francis, who has lived a quiet life in Tipperary, longs for adventure, while Father Paul, a charismatic priest from San Francisco, revels in social experiences. Their long-anticipated trip to the Holy Land takes an unexpected turn when Father Paul receives the shocking news of their mother’s passing.
As they navigate the sacred sights of Jerusalem, tensions rise due to Father Paul's decision to delay informing Francis about their mother's death, believing it would be better to share the news in a more spiritual setting. The emotional weight of their situation is compounded by Francis’s growing unease, which culminates in a confrontation over their mother’s burial arrangements. The story delves into themes of grief, familial loyalty, and the complexities of human relationships, ultimately leading to a poignant examination of how loss can alter bonds. Readers may find the narrative’s exploration of these themes both relatable and reflective of deeper cultural and emotional truths.
On this Page
Death in Jerusalem by William Trevor
First published: 1978
Type of plot: Psychological
Time of work: The 1970's
Locale: Tipperary, Ireland, and Jerusalem, Israel
Principal Characters:
Francis Daly , a shy thirty-seven-year-old bachelor who lives with his mother in a small town in IrelandFather Paul , his fifty-one-year-old brother, a sociable priest based in San Francisco
The Story
"Death in Jerusalem" concerns the disintegration of the relationship between two Irish brothers, unlike in all ways, but especially in the ways they regard their mother.
Francis Daly, the younger brother, has always lived at home with his mother in a small town in County Tipperary. He is not unhappy with his uneventful life, which consists of managing a hardware store in the daytime, spending many silent evenings sitting with his mother in the parlor, much praying and churchgoing, and occasionally going on quiet vacations with a few friends. However, for many years, Francis has dreamed of traveling to the Holy Land. One July, when his much respected elder brother, Father Paul, a gregarious Roman Catholic priest from San Francisco, is on his annual visit to see his mother in Tipperary, the brothers decide to meet in Jerusalem the next year for a vacation.
For the next twelve months, Francis spends much time and effort trying to obtain his mother's blessing regarding the trip. He is unsuccessful. She utters not a word about it, but her demeanor indicates her disapproval. From the time he sets out, Francis feels a sense of unease that prevents him from enjoying himself as he had thought he would. A fellow passenger on the flight to Jerusalem, intending to be friendly with advice on sights to see and food to enjoy, intrudes on Francis's privacy. By the time the two brothers meet at their luxurious hotel, Francis is too exhausted to appreciate its splendors and goes to bed early.
Father Paul, on the other hand, is glad to spend several hours more at the bar, sipping whiskey and chatting with some American tourists, until he is interrupted by a summons to the reception desk to receive a telegram. The message shocks him: His mother, back in Ireland, is dead.
Father Paul retires to his own room immediately, says some prayers for his mother's soul, drinks more whiskey, and paces the floor. Eventually he decides what to do: He sends a telegram to Ireland, asking that the funeral be postponed for several days. This will give him and Francis time to do some sightseeing before the flight to Ireland. He also decides to postpone telling his brother that their mother is dead until they reach Galilee, which he believes would be a suitable place for Francis to hear the sad news.
The next day, as the brothers visit landmarks in Bethlehem and Jerusalem that are sacred to Christians, Francis's uneasiness grows. As he is jostled by noisy and frequently irreverent crowds, the holy places seem unreal and disappointing. The din, the activity of buyers and sellers, the sight of prostitutes in doorways, and the overheard comments of a religious skeptic all confirm Francis's sense of incongruity between his interior vision of Jerusalem and what he actually sees.
Father Paul, too, though he enjoys the sights and especially the food and drink Jerusalem provides, occasionally feels uncomfortable because his mother is lying stiff and cold back in Ireland and because he has not yet told Francis that she is dead.
That evening, after a postprandial walk during which he is propositioned by a young woman, Francis finds his brother drinking with some people in the hotel lounge. When they are finally alone, over Francis's protests, Father Paul orders two more whiskeys and, unable to keep his secret any longer, finds relief in telling his brother the bad news.
As soon as Francis takes in what has happened, he begins to pray for his mother's salvation. However, when he realizes that his brother has concealed her death from him for a whole night and a day and that his brother intends that they continue their trip for a few days, go to Galilee, and return to Ireland barely in time for the funeral, he becomes angry. His deference to his elder brother gone, Francis insists on returning to Ireland immediately. Then he bursts into tears. At last, he stops weeping and goes to his room without saying a word to his brother.
Father Paul arranges for their departure the next morning, realizing that this trip to Tipperary to bury his mother will most likely be his last. Then he goes to the bar and drinks whiskey until after midnight when, drunk and disheveled, he staggers off to bed.