Chapter 4 Flashcards
I would not forget my magic words; they were MELODY GLOUCESTER PEGASUS, but I refused to let them into my mind.
ANALYSIS
* reflects Merricat’s reliance on ritualistic behavior and superstition as a means of control and protection
* these magic words form part of the mental and emotional defenses she employs to maintain her isolated existence
* MELODY represents her desire for order and predicitability, fearing uncertainity and change. PEGASUS resembles her desire to escape to the moon on her winged horse. GLOUCESTER is an allusion to English royals, seeking for matriarchal structure
MESSAGE
* Jackson highlights the potential of the imagination and the supernatural as forms of resistance and survival
* Jackson also comments on the oppressive nature of societal expectations and conventions.
I knew him at once; he looks like Father
ANALYSIS
* This statement marks the moment of disruption in Merricat and Constance’s isolated existence
* The resemblance Charles bears to their deceased father creates an immediate sense of unease and threat for Merricat, as she associates him with the patriarchal authority that once governed their lives
* Suggests the enduring influence of patriarchal authority and the challenge it poses to the sisters’ autonomy
MESSAGE
* Jackson critiques societal norms and gendered power dynamics, highlighting the struggle faced by those who seek to resist or subvert these structures.
