Presented in four monologues by three characters, Brian Friel's Faith Healer is the story of Frank, a traveling showman who also occasionally heals people; his bitter, angry, but still loving wife; and his once-plucky, now-tired manager, who has given up his career to promote Frank. Traveling through remote and isolated areas in Scotland and Wales, Frank offers his unique cure to the most desperate and hopeless of people. Does he actually possess a gift? Or are these rare and miracle healings simply tricks of the mind? Each monologue sheds more light on events that lead to tragedy, although the characters' memories conflict with each other. Faith Healer is an Irish meditation on the role and responsibility of the artist in society, as well as an exploration of the meanings of healing and salvation.
Faith Healer guide sections
