Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived In The Castle was introduced as one of her best thrillers and needless to say, the novel held true. The story revolves around the Blackwood family who are treated as the outcasts of the village.
“It was a fine morning…a fine bright morning, and none of them knew it was their last.” (53)
Summary
The Blackwoods were once an affluent family with a history to boast who are now out of grace due to a poisoning episode which killed all the members of the family except for Mary Katherine(also known as Merricat, who is also the narrator of the novella), her sister Constance, Uncle Julian and their black cat, Jonas.
Constance was the prime suspect in the case, but was let go of charges when the proof was not substantial. The villagers spare no effort in bullying and tormenting them particularly Merricat when she goes to the village to shop.
Although they escaped the law, the family is still held under a perpetual trial by the villagers as they try to project their collective self -righteousness on the perfect scapegoat. As the four of them go on living their secluded and ridiculed lives, the arrival of their greedy cousin, Charles sets off a train of incidents which alter their lives irrevocably .
The Family
The character of Merricat comes across as the eccentric sister of the household, who does whatever she can to maintain her peaceful, albeit ostracized life with her sister. Constance, on the other hand is presented as a soft and shy lady in her late twenties who cooks, cleans and makes life possible for Merricat, Uncle Julian and Jonas.
Uncle Julian moves around in his wheelchair and has a tendency to be forgetful. Together, the three of them share a close bond unaffected by the witch hunt-like treatment they are constantly subjected to.
Magic and Realism
Jackson’s writing leaves vivid images in the mind so naturally to the point that a few scenes are hard to forget especially the tea party with Mrs Helen Clark and ransacking of the house by the villagers.
While Merricat’s character borders on being unhinged, her imaginations and peculiar way of thinking seems to add a touch of magic realism to the grim tale. Her escapes to ‘life on the moon’ and the sense of premonition she possesses which makes her aware of a change coming into her life makes the readers doubt if she is in fact a witch.
The Monster in the Woods
Throughout the novel, the feeling that the story is hiding something more than what meets the eye does not leave you. It is as if you are catching glimpses of the presence of a monster that you expect to encounter in the woods.
My only grievance with the novel was how it ended abruptly without a proper conclusion to the lives of Merricat and Constance. But then again, that was partially expected as a way of doing justice to the title where they have always lived in the castle and will always go on living in it, whatever may happen.
In Conclusion
The towers and turrets that they have built around them stand unshakable although invisible and cannot be torn down. As I reached the last page, the famous African proverb shot through my mind “The child who is not embraced by the village, will burn it down to feel its warmth”. It goes well with the dark subject of the novel.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a fascinating read with the right mixture of grim mystery and sweetness. Would recommend to those who are in need of a thoughtful read.
