We Have Always Lived In The Castle Book Pdf
Introduction
We Have Always Lived In The Castle is a novel by Shirley Jackson, first published in 1962. It tells the story of the Blackwood family who live in a secluded castle on the outskirts of a small village. The novel is full of mystery, intrigue, and psychological suspense. It's a gripping read that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Plot Summary
The novel's narrator is Mary Katherine "Merricat" Blackwood, an 18-year-old girl who lives in the castle with her older sister, Constance, and their uncle, Julian. The rest of the Blackwood family, including Merricat's parents and younger brother, died after being poisoned six years earlier. Constance was accused of the murders but acquitted, and the villagers now shun the family.
Merricat is fiercely protective of her sister and uncle, and she's convinced that their isolation is necessary for their survival. However, their peaceful existence is soon disrupted by the arrival of their cousin, Charles, who claims to have their best interests at heart but is really after their fortune. As Charles becomes increasingly threatening, Merricat takes drastic action to protect her family and keep their secrets hidden from prying eyes.
Characters
The main characters in We Have Always Lived In The Castle are:
- Merricat Blackwood: The narrator and the youngest member of the Blackwood family. She's superstitious, imaginative, and fiercely protective of her family.
- Constance Blackwood: Merricat's older sister, who was accused of poisoning their family but acquitted.
- Julian Blackwood: The brother of Merricat and Constance's father. He's confined to a wheelchair and suffers from memory loss.
- Charles Blackwood: The cousin of Merricat and Constance, who arrives at the castle and threatens to disrupt their peaceful existence.
Themes
We Have Always Lived In The Castle is a novel that deals with a wide range of themes, including:
- Isolation: The Blackwood family lives in a secluded castle and is shunned by the rest of the village.
- Mystery: The deaths of the Blackwood family members are shrouded in mystery, and their cause is only revealed at the end of the novel.
- Family: The novel explores the dynamics of a dysfunctional family and the lengths its members will go to protect one another.
- Identity: Merricat struggles with her identity as a member of the Blackwood family and tries to create a new identity for herself in the eyes of the villagers.
Symbolism
Shirley Jackson uses a lot of symbolism in We Have Always Lived In The Castle to convey deeper meanings. Some examples of symbolism in the novel are:
- Blackwood Castle: The castle is a symbol of the Blackwood family's isolation and their need for protection from the outside world.
- Blackberries: Blackberries are a recurring motif in the novel and represent the family's tenuous link to the outside world.
- Coins: Coins represent the family's fortune and the greed of outsiders who want to take it from them.
Conclusion
We Have Always Lived In The Castle is a masterpiece of psychological suspense that keeps readers guessing until the very end. Shirley Jackson's elegant prose, coupled with the novel's intricate plot, makes for a thrilling and unforgettable read. If you haven't read it yet, we highly recommend that you do. You won't be disappointed.
