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Illustrated portrait of Father McConnell

A character in The Postman Always Rings Twice

Father McConnell

The priest who receives Frank's death-row confession.

What they want

To prepare Frank for death and receive the account he leaves behind.

The book

Cover of The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain
The Postman Always Rings TwiceJames M. Cain, 1934

A roadside affair becomes a murder plan, and getting away with it proves more dangerous than guilt.

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At a glance

Role
Priest
Setting
Death row
Connection
Frank's confessor
Object
Frank's manuscript

Who they are in the book

Spoiler-free

Father McConnell appears in the death-row frame.

Frank wants him to preserve and publish the account.

His presence gives confession religious and literary meanings without guaranteeing forgiveness.

How the book draws them

Appearance, manner, and tone — as the book sketches them, in our words.

  • RolePriest
  • SettingDeath row
  • ConnectionFrank's confessor
  • ObjectFrank's manuscript
What happens to Father McConnellHow the book leaves them, what happened after, and what the record says. Open when you're ready.

Frank asks him to help publish the confession before execution.

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