A Marriage Under Strain

Trespasses

Joanna’s illness, Michael’s absences and his affair with Cushla reveal the private damage hidden behind the barrister’s public composure.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Name in the Book The Name in the Book from "Trespasses". The Name in the Book A domestic trace Cushla finds Joanna’s name inside Michael’s Irish book.

The Name in the Book from "Trespasses". The Name in the Book A domestic trace Cushla finds Joanna’s name inside Michael’s Irish book.

The Name in the Book A domestic trace Cushla finds Joanna’s name inside Michael’s Irish book. The inscription is an intimate remnant from before the affair, sitting among his legal work and the objects of his home. An unanswered question Michael sidesteps Cushla’s question, preserving the separation between his two lives. The silence leaves her to imagine a wife rather than encounter a person.

A Family Lunch A Family Lunch from "Trespasses". A Family Lunch Ordinary intimacy Joanna and Dermot sit with Michael at lunch, speaking and smiling as a family.

A Family Lunch from "Trespasses". A Family Lunch Ordinary intimacy Joanna and Dermot sit with Michael at lunch, speaking and smiling as a family.

A Family Lunch Ordinary intimacy Joanna and Dermot sit with Michael at lunch, speaking and smiling as a family. Cushla sees Michael’s hand behind Joanna’s chair and realizes that his home life has not vanished while he sees her. The wound of recognition Joanna’s illness is visible in her pallor and the mark on her hand, but she is present and loving. The encounter destroys Cushla’s convenient story about an unhappy, disposable marriage.

Joanna’s Treatment Joanna’s Treatment from "Trespasses". Joanna’s Treatment Illness disclosed Michael tells Cushla that Joanna has alcoholism and depression and has undergone hospital treatment.

Joanna’s Treatment from "Trespasses". Joanna’s Treatment Illness disclosed Michael tells Cushla that Joanna has alcoholism and depression and has undergone hospital treatment.

Joanna’s Treatment Illness disclosed Michael tells Cushla that Joanna has alcoholism and depression and has undergone hospital treatment. He sometimes returns to find her collapsed and vulnerable. Responsibility divided The explanation reveals the burden carried by Michael and Dermot, but it also explains why Michael could meet Cushla while Joanna was hospitalized. Compassion complicates blame without removing it.

A Son Calls His Father A Son Calls His Father from "Trespasses". A Son Calls His Father A domestic interruption Cushla speaks to Michael by telephone while Gerry and Gina are with her.

A Son Calls His Father from "Trespasses". A Son Calls His Father A domestic interruption Cushla speaks to Michael by telephone while Gerry and Gina are with her.

A Son Calls His Father A domestic interruption Cushla speaks to Michael by telephone while Gerry and Gina are with her. A young voice calls “Dad,” and the line ends abruptly. Family beyond the affair The sound makes Dermot’s presence immediate. Cushla imagines a strained household but recognizes she cannot know what happens there from an interrupted call.

A Widow at the Funeral A Widow at the Funeral from "Trespasses". A Widow at the Funeral Public grief Joanna is overwhelmed as Michael’s coffin is carried from the church.

A Widow at the Funeral from "Trespasses". A Widow at the Funeral Public grief Joanna is overwhelmed as Michael’s coffin is carried from the church.

A Widow at the Funeral Public grief Joanna is overwhelmed as Michael’s coffin is carried from the church. Dermot supports her, visibly too young to bear the weight of his father’s death. The hidden mourner Cushla watches from the congregation without being able to claim her own loss. Joanna’s grief is public and recognized; Cushla’s remains private and socially unspeakable.

Spring 1975, at Michael’s flat

Summer 1975, at the hotel restaurant

The day after the hotel encounter

First Holy Communion evening, at Cushla’s home

After Michael’s assassination, at the church service