# Becket — What’s Wrong with the World character guide

> Becket in What’s Wrong with the World by G. K. Chesterton.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Thomas Becket

**First appearance:** 0001-what-s-wrong-with-the-world

## Who they are

The archbishop and martyr, referenced as a symbol of church-state conflict.

## In the story

### [The Unfinished Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/chapters/v-the-unfinished-temple)

Chesterton uses Becket's martyrdom to illustrate the medieval ideal of a supreme church that judges the state, a vision that was never fully realized.

### [On Cleanliness in Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/chapters/ii-on-cleanliness-in-education)

Cited as an example of a saint and hero whose cleanliness is less important than his soul, illustrating the modern inversion of values.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/characters/becket
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/characters