The theme of war in Fool's SanctuaryOne of the themes that Jennifer Johnston addresses in her book Fool's Sanctuary is war. Within this theme it examines how people view war and how war affects different people. In this book Johnston shows the war in a bad light. Miranda, Mr Martin and Cathal all support the IRA, or believe in a 'free' Ireland and they have all lost something important to them. Andrew and Harry who were fighting the IRA and thought Ireland shouldn't be free didn't have anything very important to them taken away. Although Andrew was virtually unable to visit his immediate family again, he had never done so years before, and on this visit where the story takes place he argued with his father, Miranda said he shouldn't have come, and he himself said he hated Ternon. Cathal is Ternon's most rational character. Unlike the other characters he sees things for what they are and doesn't try to hide from the mistakes he doesn't want to face. The main flaw in his character is that he doesn't always think about the future, or at least not until it's too late. This is demonstrated when he returns after telling the IRA about Andrew and Harry being in Ternon and stands outside thinking about whether or not he should tell them what he did. Cathal eventually admitted his mistake. In addition to demonstrating his strong conscience, he also demonstrated that he does not let emotions influence his judgment and values. While standing out in the rain it was Harry who comforted Miranda. He could very well have taken this as something more than it was and let the IRA come in and kill Andrew and Harry. Cathal's conscience turned out to be really strong, and it's the reason he was able to give up his life. The way Cathal changed his mind about what was the right thing to do shows the irrationality of war. Cathal supports the war strongly enough to be a member of the IRA, and it was this loyalty that led him to tell them about Andrew and Harry. When he changed his mind and told Andrew and Harry what he had done, it demonstrated Cathal's love for people.