Q8. If Father Eustace had been there...

[K.M.]

Question 8. How would the novel have been different if Father Eustace gave Lavinia her final confession?

[C.]

Honestly, I don't believe it would have been different. I think Lavinia was sadly, past true redemption. Her confessions to him were more habit than anything. While she might have believed she was atoning for her sins, she had to know deep down that she really didn't care. Otherwise, her whole life would have been different.

[Dave]

No difference. He need for the thrill of killing was greater than any possible forgiveness she felt she needed.

[Robin]

Well, by the end I didn't like him one bit. I didn't want him to give her the final confession because he didn't understand her. I guess it's the therapist in me, but he was ineffective in recognizing what she really needed to change her ways, so I had no use for him at all!

[K.M.]

Given the entire book is Lavinia's last confession, who she is telling the story to matters. I felt I had to have her tell it to a stranger else I could not relate the information the reader didn't know but Father Eustace would have already known.

If Father Eustace gave her last confession she wouldn't have needed to start from the beginning. And given her relationship with Father Eustace, I think her attitude would have been more smug which would have affected the entire voice of the novel.

The fact she had to start from the beginning I think would have helped her with self reflection. Her last confession would not have been as meaningful to her without this forcing function.