we have always lived in the castle practice essay 2

“People of the village have always hated us.”

‘Fear and resentment are the causes of all problems in this novel’
To what extent is this statement true?

Based in 1960s Vermont, Shirley Jacksons psychological gothic novella ‘We have always lived in the
Castle’ portrays a secluded town where Blackwood sisters Merricat and Constance are actively
ostracized and live in isolation from the village. Jackson explores the motives and the consequences
of this seclusion suggesting that a large portion of issues that that arise stem from stem from both
anxiety and bitterness. This is primary seen through how fear and resentment lead to problems of
exclusion and separation. But also, how it can lead to issues within the family dynamics of the
Blackwoods. However not all problems are a result of fear, as gender norms, power imbalance and
feminism also contribute to problems characters face in the novella.

Firstly, it is revealed that the issues within the family dynamics of the Blackwoods are largely
influenced by the fear and seclusion that have been set up in the family. This is especially seen
within the sisters Merricat and Constance prior to the poisoning. The withdrawal of Merricat from
her family caused numerous hardships for both her and ultimately her entire family. This can be
seen as Merricat reminisces on when she would be “sent to bed [without] her supper” or when “no
one had taken [her] picture” from this Jackson gives the reader some context of what the family
dynamics of the Blackwoods where like and reveals that Merricat was an outsider within her own
home. This idea of Merricats seclusion is symbolised by the isolated setting of the blackwood manor,
just like how her house is secluded from the village and broken down, she too also feels a sense a
separation from her family that is damaged. This had ultimately further diminished Merricats
relationship with her family which led to her poisoning her family to escape from the bitterness that
they show her and disregard they have for her. Jackson uses the poisoning of Blackwood family as a
symbol of the negative implications that neglect and judgement and has in families to criticize that
the use of ostracism as a punishment

Additionally, it is proven the fear and resentment mutually shared between the Blackwoods and the
villagers lead to problems of ostracism and isolation within the novel which have both minor and
major consequences for characters. Jackson makes use of Merricats internal dialogue to express her
relationship and opinions of the villagers, as when she walks through the village she imagines that
“someday soon [they] would die” or that “there was already a rot growing inside [them] that was
going to kill [them]” Jackson uses the dark and immature characteristics of Merricat to be able to
clearly illustrate the strong hatred that she has for the village and its people. however, it is shown
that this resentment goes both ways as they tell “don’t hurry back” and revives judgemental stares.
This resentful relationship is also extended to the rest of the Blackwoods also affecting them, causing
the whole family to be ostracized by the community. This problem on its surface is minor as it causes
Merricat and Constance to feel constrained to their house and worried of the outside world.
However, it paves the way for major problems in the novel to arise like murder and the burning
down. From this Jackson conveys her message on how fear and hatred can have a large snowball
effect on society with a wide range of issues and problems, from this she highlights the importance
of an inclusive community

On the contrary there are also many issues seen throughout the novella that caused from power
imbalance, feminism, and the use of stereotypical gender norms. Jackson explores these ideas
through numerous literacy devices such as characterisation, symbolism, and foreshadowing. It is
shown that the Merricats desire for self autonomy plays a pivotal role in the burning down of the
Blackwood manor as it’s her resolution to gain control over her own life. Jackson clearly shows that
Merricat is not receptive to the idea of Charles’ arrival and the role he has imposed on himself as she
refers to him as a “ghost” and an “intruder”. Additionally, Merricat has a physiological response to
Cousin Charles staying the night of feeling “tied around tight” “not [able] to breathe” and “feeling
[that] everything was cold.” This response undoubtedly shows Merricats resentment of her cousin
Charles and the role of the head of the house he is trying to grasp. Merricats distain for a traditional
household with a man in charge was first introduced by poisoning her family and reenforced when
she states that “a ghost is sleeping in fathers’ bed.” This metaphor used by Jackson represents
Merricats perception of how she sees Charles as a reincarnation of her father, which evokes
memories of where she was powerless and marginalised by her own family. Through Merricat
Jackson conveys a message of how there was a lack of female power within society during the 1960
which has had many negative implications throughout society because of it. She suggests there are
problems and hardships that could have been avoided if there was an even distribution of power
between men and women. Jackson reflects her message in the novella by Merricat murdering her
family and setting her house on fire, which represents the problems that may arise from a lack of
womans control over their own life.

In conclusion, it is shown that problems presented in Shirley Jacksons ‘We Have Always Lived in the
Castle’ stem from various issues with fear and resentment playing major roles. However, the roles of
the patriarchy and power imbalances within the text must also be considered when discussing
issues. As they act as a catalyst for both the murder of the Blackwood family and the burning down
of the Blackwood manor. Overall, Jackson is able to display these ideas through the use of a dark
gothic and isolated setting that successfully exhibits the lives of both Merricat and Constance.