Religion and Textual Connections: Intensifying 'Brighton Rock' Nanya Osamor 12th Grade

Undoubtedly, religion is theme which permeates Brighton Rock, acting as backdrop for significant events which symbolise morality, or with regards to antagonistic Pinkie, the lack thereof. In the genre of crime, it is conventional that religion plays an indicative role as seen in traditional crime texts, notably John Milton’s epic Paradise Lost and Marlowe’s ‘Dr Faustus’, which can be perceived as some of the foundations of crime writing. Religion in Brighton Rock provides the reader with Greene’s notions of good vs. evil as he establishes plot and character. The prominent use of religion intensifies the text and arguably undermines preconceived notions of religion, Catholicism in particular.

Structurally, the importance of religion is established early on in the novel, as the reader witness Greene’s heavily imposed religious lexis during Hale’s funeral in Part 1. Greene notes that the funeral took place in “a bare cold secular chapel” with “no cemetery” exemplifying the ironic lack of religion presented in an institute with the purpose of religious worship. However, it is clear that the focalisation of religion in this chapter serves to portray Ida’s arguably unconventional perceptions of religion. Greene states that “she liked...