The Canon
The only friend who visits S.B. is the Canon. Private’s tragicomic commentary emphasises how he too is predictable and how each evening’s draughts game differs very little from the last.
The physical description of the Canon as “lean” and “white”, “with alert eyes and a thin mouth’ is very specific and creates the impression of a rather joyless character.
Friel seems to use the character as a comment on the Catholic Church. Suggesting that the Canon - and by association the Church - is inadequate in its duty to support the emotional and spiritual life of the parish and country.
While Private’s commentary starts off mocking the Canon’s repetitive and predictable speech, it gets more serious as he becomes frustrated at the Canon for not helping the situation between Gar and his father, “And yet you don’t say a word. Why, Canon? Why, arid Canon? Isn’t this your job?”
Friel seems to comment on the hypocrisy of the Church when Private asks, “Agh, sure, Canon, what interest have you in money? Sure as long as you get to Tenerife for five weeks every winter what interest have you in money?”
Ireland was very much ruled by the Catholic Church at the time so perhaps Friel uses the Canon to question the Church’s authority.