Chapter 2 Flashcards
it was a simple padlock and any child could have broken it, but on the gate was a sign saying PRIVATE NO TRESPASSING and no one could go past that
ANALYSIS
* Merricat’s belief in her ability to control her surroundings, as well as her reliance on symbolic fortifications like the sign that states ‘PRIVATE NO TRESPASSING’, and a “simple padlock” imbue her with a sense of psychological control over her environment.
* This power is sympathetic and unconventional in nature, but it represents a form of rebellion against external intrusion
MESSAGE
* Jackson champions individual autonomy, even when it defies societal expectations.
“The highway’s built for common people,” our mother said, “and my front door is private.”
ANALYSIS
* It reflects the Blackwoods’ desire for isolation and their disdain for external society — the ‘common people.’
* The ‘highway’ represents the mainstream society, while the ‘front door’ symbolizes the private, isolated world of the Blackwoods.
* This stark distinction underscores the Blackwoods’ detachment and their intention to safeguard their privacy and autonomy.
I was to be kinder to Uncle Julian
ANALYSIS
* Merricat’s acknowledgement of the need to be kinder can be interpreted as a critique of societal pressures to conform to certain behavioral expectations, even when they contradict personal desires.
* Uncle Julian’s present is the living reminder of Merricat’s guilt.
MESSAGE
Jackson’s suggest the importance of empathy and kindness, even when personal desires urge otherwise.
He was ten years old and possessed many of his father’s more forceful traits of character
ANALYSIS
* This signifies the transfer of patriarchal power and societal norms from one generation to another, reflecting the societal expectation of gender roles.
MESSAGE
* Jackson’s work frequently challenges such societal norms and patriarchal power structures, suggesting that they can be oppressive and limit individual freedom, particularly for women and those who don’t conform.
When I was small I thought Constance was a fairy princess…. She was the most precious person in my world, always.
ANALYSIS
* Merricat’s deep affection and admiration for her older sister Constance is revealed.
* It also emphasizes the theme of innocence and imagination as a form of escape from harsh realities.
MESSAGE
* Jackson often highlighted the strength and resilience of women in her works, and this quote can be seen as a celebration of female solidarity and interconnectedness in a patriarchal society.
* Jackson explores of the intricacies of familial relationships and the sanctuary they provide against societal persecution.
I realized now that this was the third time in one day that the subject had been touched, and three times makes it real
ANALYSIS
Merricat often relies on superstitions and rituals to make sense of her world. It highlight the importance of ritual and symbolism in coping with trauma or societal alienation, and the power of belief systems in shaping one’s reality.
I was chilled
ANALYSIS
* The repeated phrase “I was chilled” often expresses Merricat’s emotional response to feelings of betrayal, fear, or unease.
* These moments of coldness often coincide with instances when Merricat perceives a threat to her insular world, such as intrusions from outsiders, changes to her familiar routine, and Constance reconciling with the villagers.
MESSAGE
* Jackson’s comments on the chilling effects of societal persecution and the emotional toll of living on the margins
“She was a wicked, disobedient child,” and she smiled at me.
“An unhealthy environment,” Helen Clarke said. “A child should
be punished for wrongdoing, but she should be made to feel
that she is still loved.”
ANALYSIS
* The label of ‘wicked’ and ‘disobedient’ reflects the societal judgement and misunderstanding of Merricat’s nonconformist and rebellious nature.
* The mention of an ‘unhealthy environment’ suggests a recognition of the dysfunctional family dynamics and isolation that shaped Merricat’s behaviour.
* The statement about punishment and love indicates a complex interplay between societal norms, discipline, and affection.
MESSAGE
* Jackson’s critique the societal judgment and the rigid expectations placed on individuals, particularly women, that often punishes this nonconformity.
One of the first things [our father did] was close off the path and fence in the entire Blackwood property, from the highway to the creek
- The man in charge seems to priortise seclusion from the village deliberately
