The following essay discusses Michael Banim and his brother, John Banim.

Michael and John Banim wrote novels that captured the milieu, turbulence, misery, and anguish of the Irish people. Several novels called into question the political and religious differences that separated the Irish from the English. Although they did not ask for nor prescribe any particular legislation as did some writers of their day, they did remind the English of their obligations to legislation already signed into law.

The Banims lived during an important time in Ireland's history. Throughout much of the eighteenth century, contrary to the appeals by both denominations, Catholics and Presbyterians had no control over their destinies. As a result of the American Revolution, England was forced to withdraw troops from Ireland. Consequently, the Protestant Irish Volunteer Corps, which had been formed primarily to defend Ireland against France, supported Henry Flood and Henry Grattan, who...