The Lie Tree
In Chapter 31, the author highlights one of the novel's most important themes..... the power of lies. What events in this chapter support the theme?
The Lie Tree
![](https://d22o6al7s0pvzr.cloudfront.net/images/bookrags/qa/avatars/School/Book.png)
The Lie Tree
The power of lies is one of the novel's main themes, and Faith makes the distinction between the various kinds of lies, as she enters another vision. The list includes the kind lies, such as “I love you” (319), the frightened lies that try to cover a transgression or problem, and predatory lies that include the salesman selling a useless tonic. She talks about the silences that are actually lies and the excuses and resolutions that are nothing more than lies. It is significant that Faith does not justify any of them. In another passage in this section, Howard asks if he is responsible for Jeanne's illness. By this time, Jeanne has been staying in the church for days, refuses to leave, and has become so distraught that she is physically ill. The fact that she has worked herself into this state is another example of the power of lies.
The Lie Tree