Chapter 9 Flashcards
Our house was a castle, turreted and open to the sky
ANALYSIS
* The house, described as a castle, symbolises a fortification, a place of safety and refuge for the sisters against the hostile and judgmental society outside
* The phrase “open to the sky” suggests a sense of openness and freedom, indicating that while the sisters are physically isolated, they are mentally and emotionally unrestrained, living in a world of their own within the ‘castle.’
MESSAGE
* Jackson highlights the necessity of such ‘castles’ or safe spaces for those who are ostracized or misunderstood by society.
* It could also symbolize the resilience and strength of individuals who resist societal pressures and maintain their individuality in the face of adversity
Nobody meant any harm… we’re going to forget all about it.
ANALYSIS
* An attempt to downplay or dismiss the villagers’ harmful actions towards the Blackwood sisters.
* It suggests denial of responsibility and a desire to erase the past, which contrasts with the lasting harm and trauma inflicted on the sisters.
* it suggests that societal structures often protect those who conform, enabling them to evade responsibility for their actions while those ostracised bear the brunt of these actions
MESSAGE
* the collective denial often employed to justify harmful action
* It underscores the idea that societal pressure and mob mentality can lead to harm, and that such harm is often dismissed or forgotten by the perpetrators
