"The Trick Is To Keep Breathing" Characters Analysis

"The Trick Is to Keep Breathing" is a compelling and introspective novel written by Janice Galloway. Set in Scotland, the book explores the life of its central character, Joy Stone, a thirty-two-year-old drama teacher whose world begins to crumble after a personal tragedy. This character analysis delves into the various aspects of the characters, their roles, traits, backgrounds, and relationships within the remarkable story.

List of Characters

Character Name	Role
Joy Stone	Protagonist
Tom	Joy's deceased lover
Alan McArthur	Joy's therapist
Bella	Joy's best friend
Kate	Joy's sister
Joy's Mother	Joy's complicated mother
Joy's Father	Joy's distant father
Mrs. McCleary	Joy's nosy neighbor
Lindsay	Joy's colleague
George McVarish	Joy's former boss
Maddy	Joy's former student

Role Identification

Joy Stone

As the protagonist of "The Trick Is to Keep Breathing," Joy Stone carries the main narrative and serves as the lens through which the story unfolds. The book explores her journey of grief, self-discovery, and mental health struggles.

Tom

Tom, Joy's deceased lover, plays a significant role in the story. Although absent for much of the book, his impact on Joy's life and her subsequent unraveling is a pivotal aspect of the plot.

Alan McArthur

Alan McArthur is Joy's therapist and acts as a guide and confidant throughout her therapy sessions. He provides a professional perspective on Joy's mental health struggles and helps her navigate her emotions.

Bella

Bella serves as Joy's best friend, providing support and a listening ear in times of need. She plays a crucial role in Joy's journey to healing and self-acceptance.

Kate

Joy's sister, Kate, appears intermittently throughout the book, often providing contrasting perspectives on Joy's behavior and offering insight into their shared history.

Joy's Mother

Joy's complicated relationship with her mother brings a layer of complexity to her character. Her mother is often overbearing and judgmental, and Joy's interactions with her help illuminate the roots of her mental health struggles.

Joy's Father

Joy's distant relationship with her father is explored in the book, shedding light on the impact of parental absence on her emotional well-being.

Mrs. McCleary

Mrs. McCleary is Joy's nosy neighbor, creating a sense of intrusion into Joy's life. Her relentless curiosity and lack of boundaries contribute to Joy's feelings of suffocation.

Lindsay

Lindsay is Joy's colleague at the school where she teaches. Their relationship helps highlight aspects of Joy's professional life and social interactions.

George McVarish

George McVarish, Joy's former boss, plays a minor role in the story, but his presence adds to the exploration of Joy's professional and personal life.

Maddy

Maddy, Joy's former student, is briefly mentioned in the book. It serves as a reminder of the influence Joy had on others through her teaching.

Character Descriptions

Joy Stone

Joy Stone is a thirty-two-year-old drama teacher. She is described as intelligent, introspective, and deeply affected by her partner Tom's death. Her grief and subsequent mental health struggles lead to a physical and emotional unraveling, resulting in periods of detachment and self-destructive behaviors.

Tom

Tom, Joy's deceased lover, is not physically present in the book, but through Joy's memories and reflections, his character emerges. He is portrayed as charismatic and caring, leaving a lasting impact on Joy's life.

Alan McArthur

Alan McArthur, a therapist, is a middle-aged man who provides support and guidance to Joy throughout her journey. He is calm, patient, and skilled in helping Joy navigate her grief and trauma.

Bella

Bella, Joy's best friend, is a vibrant and compassionate woman. She is a source of emotional support for Joy, providing a safe space for her to express her feelings without judgment.

Kate

Joy's sister, Kate, is portrayed as more practical and level-headed in comparison to Joy. She is concerned for her well-being and often tries to offer guidance and stability in Joy's life.

Joy's Mother

Joy's mother is a complex character who oscillates between being overbearing and distant. Her judgments and criticisms add to Joy's feelings of inadequacy and contribute to her mental health struggles.

Joy's Father

Joy's father is a somewhat absent figure in her life, leaving her with unresolved feelings of abandonment. His absence impacts her sense of self-worth and influences her relationships with others.

Mrs. McCleary

Mrs. McCleary, Joy's neighbor, is portrayed as a nosy and meddling character. Her constant intrusion into Joy's life exacerbates Joy's feelings of being trapped and observed.

Lindsay

Lindsay is portrayed as a supportive coworker and friend. She is described as practical, empathetic, and understanding of Joy's struggles.

George McVarish

George McVarish, Joy's former boss, is superficially concerned about Joy's well-being but is primarily interested in maintaining appearances. This highlights the challenges Joy faces in a professional setting.

Maddy

Although her appearance is brief, Maddy represents the impact Joy has had on her students. Her character emphasizes Joy's role as a teacher and her ability to inspire and influence others.

Character Traits

Joy Stone

• Intelligent
• Introspective
• Grieving
• Detached
• Self-destructive

Tom

• Charismatic
• Caring
• Deceased (Not present in the story)

Alan McArthur

• Supportive
• Skilled listener
• Calm
• Patient

Bella

• Vibrant
• Compassionate
• Loyal
• Nonjudgmental

Kate

• Practical
• Level-headed
• Concerned for Joy's well-being
• Offers guidance

Joy's Mother

• Overbearing
• Judgmental
• Distant
• Contributing factor to Joy's mental health struggles

Joy's Father

• Absent
• Distant
• Sense of abandonment
• Influences Joy's relationships with others

Mrs. McCleary

• Nosy
• Meddling
• Intrusive
• Adds to Joy's feelings of suffocation

Lindsay

• Supportive
• Empathetic
• Understanding
• Coworker and friend

George McVarish

• Superficially concerned
• Image-focused
• Reflects challenges in professional settings

Maddy

• Former student
• Represents the impact Joy had on her students

Character Background

Joy Stone

Joy Stone grew up in Scotland and pursued a career as a drama teacher. Her relationship with Tom was intense, and his death triggered a gradual unraveling of her mental state. She battles grief, depression, and feelings of detachment, leading to self-destructive behaviors.

Tom

Tom's background is not explicitly detailed in the book, but through Joy's memories, it is evident that he had a profound impact on her life. His death serves as a catalyst for Joy's emotional decline.

Alan McArthur

Alan McArthur's background is primarily revealed through his role as Joy's therapist. He brings his experience and training to their sessions, providing professional guidance and support.

Bella

Bella's background is not extensively explored in the book. However, as Joy's best friend, she provides emotional stability and acts as a pillar of support during Joy's darkest moments.

Kate

As Joy's sister, Kate shares a familial background and history with Joy. Her comparatively more stable life provides a contrast to Joy's struggles.

Joy's Mother

Joy's mother has a complex background that has shaped her judgmental and distant nature. Her relationship with Joy adds depth to their characters and informs Joy's emotional journey.

Joy's Father

Joy's father's background is not extensively explored, but his absence and emotional detachment contribute to Joy's feelings of abandonment and affect her relationships.

Mrs. McCleary

Mrs. McCleary's background is not explicitly detailed, but she serves as a representative figure of nosy neighbors common in many communities.

Lindsay

Lindsay's background is mainly related to her role as Joy's colleague and friend. Her supportive nature adds an element of stability to Joy's life within the workplace.

George McVarish

George McVarish is briefly mentioned in the book, primarily representing a professional background and providing context for Joy's experiences at work.

Maddy

Maddy's background is not explored in detail. However, she symbolizes the impact Joy had on her students, showcasing the positive influence Joy has as a teacher.

Character Arcs

Joy Stone

Joy's character arc in "The Trick Is to Keep Breathing" revolves around her journey of self-discovery and healing from grief. Her psychological unraveling gradually gives way to self-acceptance and a renewed sense of purpose.

Bella

Bella's character arc is not as central as Joy's, but her unwavering friendship and loyalty provide a source of stability for Joy throughout the narrative.

Kate

Kate's character arc primarily involves her attempts to support and guide Joy while also navigating her own life and relationships.

Joy's Mother

Though not a central character, Joy's mother undergoes subtle changes through her interactions with Joy, offering glimpses of vulnerability and growth.

Relationships

Joy and Tom

Joy's relationship with Tom forms the backdrop for the story. Joy's memories and reflections on their relationship provide insight into the intensity of their connection and the impact of his death.

Joy and Alan McArthur

The relationship between Joy and her therapist, Alan McArthur, is one of trust and support. Alan guides Joy through her journey of self-discovery, helping her confront her emotions and find healing.

Joy and Bella

Joy's friendship with Bella serves as a crucial anchor throughout the narrative. Bella provides unwavering emotional support, a safe space to express herself, and valuable insights.

Joy and Kate

Joy's relationship with her sister, Kate, provides an important familial context to the story. Kate tries to offer guidance and stability throughout Joy's turbulent journey.

Joy and Joy's Mother

Joy's relationship with her mother is complex and strained. Her mother's judgments and criticisms contribute to Joy's emotional struggles and sense of inadequacy.

Joy and Joy's Father

Joy's relationship with her father is somewhat distant, and the lingering impact of his absence influences her self-worth and relationships with others.

Joy and Mrs. McCleary

Mrs. McCleary's intrusive nature adds to Joy's feeling of being trapped. Her presence highlights the challenges Joy faces in maintaining personal boundaries.

Joy and Lindsay

Joy's relationship with Lindsay, her colleague, offers a source of stability and support within her professional life. Lindsay's empathy and understanding provide a contrast to the other chaotic aspects of Joy's journey.

Joy and George McVarish

George McVarish represents the challenges Joy faces in a professional setting. His superficial concern adds to Joy's overall workplace dynamics.

Joy and Maddy

Although not a primary relationship in the story, Joy's role as a former teacher to Maddy highlights her ability to inspire and influence others, showing glimpses of her former self.

In conclusion, "The Trick Is to Keep Breathing" portrays a complex and engaging cast of characters. Each contributes to the depth and emotional journey of the protagonist, Joy Stone. Through exploration of their roles, traits, backgrounds, relationships, and character arcs, Janice Galloway creates a powerful narrative that delves into the human experience of grief, mental health struggles, and the path to healing.