Within the Walls Anonymous College

The distinction between truth and falsehood is at face value a simple one, but in actuality what is ‘true’ extends beyond the face of the world and permeates all aspects of life. Social systems are built upon the importance of truth, and our interpersonal relationships assume a certain degree of authenticity in our interactions as well. The novel In The Woods, by Tana French, and the first episode of the television series The Fall, first aired on RTÉ One, both explore how the pursuit of truth within systems of justice is complicated in various ways. Both works present a character whose appearances are used to conceal their involvement in murder, and therefore impede the progression of criminal investigations. This masking of the truth becomes intricately intertwined with the concept of physical space in both pieces, and the tangible boundaries between truth and falsehood become instrumental in making concealment possible.

Paul Spector, established as a serial killer in the first episode of The Fall, maintains a separation between his perverse crimes and his home life. Spector’s chosen profession as a counselor and his family-oriented life hide him in plain sight, with the spaces of both his family home and workplace appearing...