castles Flashcards
overarching big ideas
VSP PRIDE
- division caused hierarchy
- patriarchy vs matriarchy
- variation & distortions of truth
- relationships bw families & community
- isolation
- fear & punishment
- exploring human nature & guilt
- public & private interactions
- the supernatural
division caused hierarchy
patriarchy & matriarchy
- “looking down on the dread dried world”
–> implies a literal and metaphorical elevation
–> family’s belief in their higher status compared to the villagers. - John Blackwood “took pride in … his family, his place in the world”
–> This internal hierarchy reinforces the family’s sense of unity and separateness from the rest of the community, emphasising their distinct identity.
–> contributes to the villagers’ resentment and animosity towards the Blackwoods, fuelling a cycle of ostracism and hostility. - “I was always on the verge of bringing order into the world.”
–> desire for power & control to move up her internal hierarchy; sees herself as the protector and controller of her family’s world. - “The highway’s built for common ppl”
–> lucy blackwood’s condescending view of the villagers’ ancestry underscores her sense of social hierarchy, where she regards her family as inherently superior to the villagers. - “I dislike washing myself, and dogs, and noise.”
–> Merricat’s list of dislikes can be seen as a reflection of her disdain for the ordinary and the common, setting herself apart from what she perceives as lower or unclean.
“Their fathers and grandfathers had been nothing but farmers”
–> exemplifies the division and perceived superiority of the Blackwoods over the villagers, creating a hierarchical divide.
“John Blackwood took pride in … his family, his place in the world.”
–> John Blackwood’s pride in his family and their social standing highlights the patriarchal view that the Blackwoods occupy a higher status in the social hierarchy.
“Constance kept the house, and I tended the grounds.”
–> This quote demonstrates the matriarchal structure within the Blackwood family, with Constance taking on traditional female domestic roles while Merricat manages the more masculine roles.
- relationships of families & community
- exploring human nature
- “good morning my Merricat” + “good morning my Constance” pg 59
- jonas? [“i put my face down to jonas” pg 65]
- “i disliked having jonas look at charles”
- “i was angry bc charles ought to be kind to uncle julian”
“why not let it burn”
“charles is a ghost” - pg 69
“Jonas,” I told him, “you are not to listen any more to Cousin Charles,” and Jonas regarded me in wide-eyed astonishment, that I should attempt to make decisions for him. “Jonas,” I said, “he is a ghost,” and Jonas closed his eyes and turned away.” - “Perhaps the
whole village would falter and slow, bewildered at the lack of Miss Mary
Katherine Blackwood? I giggled, thinking of Jim Donell and the Harris boys peering anxiously up the road to see if I was coming. “ pg 77 - “Uncle Julian should be cheerful.” “Why should he be cheerful if he’s going to die? “I haven’t been doing my duty,” Constance said. “I don’t know what that means.” pg 79
- “oh merricat.. listen to me scolding you how silly i am”
“i love you constance. .. you’re a good child merricat” - ” i wanted… to c him lying dead on the grass”
- patriarchy & the opposite female power
- isolation
- “on the moon we will eat rose petals” pg 59
- “On the moon we wore feathers in our hair, and rubies on our hands. On
the moon we had gold spoons.” pg60 - “the pipe smoke was disagreeable”
- “women alone like you are, you shouldn’t keep money in the house”
- “ive been hiding here” “i have let unc julian all his time living in the past… i have let you run wild”
–> patriarchy & matriarchy
* variation & distortion of truth
* relationships of families & community
* isolation & punishment
exploring human nature; guilt
Variation & Distortion of Truth
“I can’t help it when people are frightened; I always want to frighten them more.”
–> Merricat’s acknowledgment of her behaviour reveals how she manipulates and distorts reality to maintain control and protect herself and her family.
“how quickly rot would spread from one house to another.”
Relationships & conformity
“bringing us food was somehow a shameful thing to do in public”
“The people of the village have always hated us.”
–> Merricat directly addresses the hostile relationship between the BW family and the community, rooted in fear and misunderstanding.
‘Put them back in the house and start the fire all over again.’
- punishment
- guilt
isolation
“when we do not go into the village we keep our eyes from the windows.”
“On the moon we spoke a soft, liquid tongue”
“looking down on the dread dried world”
castles intro frame
1950’s America was plagued by a strong sense of [key word 1], heightened by the tensions of the Cold War creating a [lack of/need for] [keyword 2] within [relationships/communities/etc] which highlighted how [key word] impacts [key word]. Shirley Jackson’s gothic fiction novel, “WHALITC” scrutinises this idea & explores how [reword prompt]. Jackson examines … Ultimately, Jackson contends that [what u are trying to prove].
conclusion
In conclusion, Shirley Jackson’s “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” effectively explores [3 big ideas]. Through this Jackson successfully achieves her aim of [author’s purpose], leaving readers to reflect on [universal truth/lesson]. This novel remains relevant today, reminding us of the dangers of [current societal issue], and encouraging us to confront our own biases and fears.
body paragraph TS
Jackson
Shifting to a more [tone] approach, [Author] [argument verb] that [argument], [persuasive technique] to [encourage/drive/incentivise/motivate/inspire] their [community oriented/socially engaged/environmentally conscious/economical/budget conscious] readers to [intended effect on audience].
To further persuade [specific audience], [Author] [argument verb] [argument] by [persuasive technique], aiming to [intended effect].
